Odisha has a fishermen population of 15,17,574, ranking eighth among states with the largest fishing communities in India, Union minister for fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, informed the Rajya Sabha on Friday.
According to data compiled in consultation with state fisheries departments, India has a total fishermen population of 2,80,63,538. Bihar leads with 60,27,375 fishermen, followed by Uttar Pradesh (39,00,005) and West Bengal (32,36,261).
Responding to a question from Rajya Sabha MP Jebi Mather Hisham, Singh detailed the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), a flagship scheme aimed at bringing about Blue Revolution through sustainable fisheries development. The Rs 20,050-crore scheme covers all states and Union Territories (UTs).
PMMSY includes welfare initiatives such as developing integrated modern coastal fishing villages in maritime states and providing insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh against accidental death or permanent total disability for fishermen aged between 18 and 70.
The minister added that under the scheme’s livelihood and nutritional support component, fishermen receive Rs 3,000 as central assistance, along with their contribution of Rs 1,500 during the three-month fishing ban/lean period.
Over the past four years and current financial year, the govt has sanctioned Rs 1,384.84 crore, including a central share of Rs 490.84 crore, benefiting an average of 5,94,538 fishermen annually across various states and UTs.