The government of the Indian State of Odisha (Orisssa) has decided to cover an estimated 11 lakh poor fishermen under Group Accident Insurance Scheme as part of a social security measure. The traditional fishermen involved in fishing in the sea and rivers as well as those involved in fishing in Chilika will avail the benefit.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik who reviewed the activities of the Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department on Thursday asked the departmental authorities to expedite steps to cover targeted fishermen families under the accident insurance scheme by March 31, 2013.
An estimated Rs 2.90 crore has been provided in the Centre-sponsored project on a sharing basis with the State at 50: 50 in 2012-13 to cover 11 lakh poor fishermen to insure their lives. As many as eight lakh fishermen were covered in 2011-12 under the scheme.
According to sources, the Chief Minister also asked the department Secretary to take steps for inclusion of milk producing farmers under Live-stock Insurance Scheme.
It was revealed during the review that the Government had launched a project Mobile Veterinary Unit to provide veterinary services in rural and remote areas of 41 blocks in ten tribal dominated districts. Animal Health camps in dairy intensive Gram Panchayats are in operation for augmentation of cross breeding programme in 26 districts under Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
Similarly, sources said to achieve self sufficiency in fish production, multipurpose farm ponds over 300 hectares of land have been excavated under the MGNREGS.
2011 The Pioneer