FM Nirmala Sitharaman announces new scheme for fisherman to create 55 lakh jobs; double exports to Rs 1 lakh cr

The Government will launch Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana for integrated, sustainable, inclusive development of marine and inland fisheries to plug critical gaps in fisheries value chain, Finance Minister Nirmala Sithraman today said in a press briefing.

The Finance Minister was speaking on the occasion to announce the third tranche of the Rs 20 lakh cr relief package. The Unimon Minister was also accompanied by the Minister of State for Finance Anurag Thakur. The move will provide employment to over 55 lakh persons and double exports to Rs 1 lakh crore according to government’s estimates.

The FM said that the government will allocate Rs 11000 cr for activities in Marine inland fisheries and aquaculture. The government will also allocate Rs 9000 cr to build infrastructure in the sector including building of fishing harbours, cold chain, markets etc.

The entire exercise will create an additional fish production of 70 lakh tns over the next five years, the finance minister said.

The finance minister has been making announcements for different sectors for the last two days. While on first day, she focused on MSMEs and common man, the second tranche of stimulus for the country's economy was aimed at migrant workers and farmers. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday announced a Rs 3.16 lakh crore package of free foodgrains for migrant workers, concessional credit to farmers and working capital loan for street vendors as part of the second tranche of fiscal stimulus to heal an economy hit hard by the coronavirus-forced lockdown.

As many as 2.5 crore farmers will be provided Rs 2 lakh crore of concessional credit through Kisan Credit Cards. Also for post-harvest (Rabi) and current Kharif crop requirements in May and June, NABARD will provide Rs 30,000 crore additional emergency working capital funding for farmers through rural cooperative banks and regional rural banks.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed these measures by saying that this will benefit both the segments. "Today's announcements by FM Nirmala Sitharaman will especially benefit our farmers and migrant workers," the prime minister tweeted. The announcements, Modi pointed out, include a series of "progressive measures and will boost food security, credit to farmers as well as street vendors".