August 23, 2013
State Government is set to include fish cultivators under the Kisan Credit Card Scheme
Of the many initiatives taken up for the development of the downtrodden by the West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee, Kisan Credit Card scheme holds a special significance.
The CM had taken a special drive to cover all farmers in the state under the Kisan Credit Card scheme. Financial inclusion has been one of the key areas of focus of this Government and the progress in the same is commendable.
Over 10 lakh farmers in the state have been given Kisan Credit Cards in the last fiscal and banks target disbursing another 12 lakh.
In 2012-13, Rs. 57,000 was lent for every card. The amount targeted this current financial year is Rs 70,000.
The State Government has also introduced a Welfare Scheme for Fishermen that provide Rs. 1000 per month as old age allowance for old and incapacitated fishermen, 7500 fishermen have been getting the benefits.
Financial assistance to the families of the fishermen having suffered accidents is covered under the `Group Personal Accident insurance Scheme` for fishermen, Rs. 1,00,000 per family of the deceased and Rs 50,000 per family of the incapacitated.
Fishermen will be entitled to receive Rs. 50,000 as grant under the House Building Programme.
Rs 18 crores have been sanctioned during the years 2013-14 for extending infrastructural facilities with regard to community halls, tube wells, rural roads and fish markets.
Rs 25 lakhs have been earmarked for electrification of fish storing centres with solar panels in fishing villages.
Saving – cum – relief scheme for Fishermen is also introduced under which Rs. 75 each for 8 months is required to be deposited in this scheme by the fishermen venturing into the deep sea, Govt. will provide Rs. 1200. Fishermen in their lean periods will receive a lump sum of Rs. 1800.
