Trinamul Congress Launches "Samudra Sathi" Scheme for Fishermen in Coastal Bengal
INTTUC Mobilizes Support and Forms Sara Bangla Trinamul Matsyajibi Union
The Trinamul Congress, emphasizing the new financial system for thousands of fishermen and their families, has mobilized its trade union INTTUC in the coastal districts of East Midnapore, North 24-Parganas, and South 24-Parganas.
Fishermen in the three districts will get monthly assistance of Rs 5,000 for two months each year under the "Samudra Sathi" initiative, which was announced by state minister of finance Chandrima Bhattacharya in the budget for the next fiscal year (2024–25).
Fishing is prohibited in coastal regions for two months, from mid-April until mid-June.
Nearly two lakh fisherman would profit from the programme. Chandrima had said, "I suggest allocating Rs 200 crore for this purpose."
As a result of the statement, the INTTUC established the Sara Bangla Trinamul Matsyajibi Union, a trade association for fishermen.
"Fishermen's livelihood is negatively harmed during the prohibition. They will gain a great deal from the help. State INTTUC President Ritabrata Banerjee said, "We are traveling throughout the coastal districts and informing fishermen about the scheme."
At Haripur in Contai, East Midnapore, on Friday, Ritabrata and Trinamul officials from the East Midnapore district convened a public assembly.
"We gave the fishermen and their families an explanation of the new program and other social welfare initiatives that the state government is using to help them. The INTTUC spokesman said, "We also informed them about the role played by BJP politicians, particularly Suvendu Adhikari, in stopping central funding intended for Bengal.
Bengal has an estimated 32.36 lakh fisherman as of 2022, according to the Center.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the fishermen get Rs 4,500 (Rs 1,500 per month for three months) from the Center during the lean season or when fishing is prohibited. The recipient of the PMMSY must pay Rs 1,500 in order to get Rs 4,500.
However, under the state system, a fisherman receives aid of Rs 10,000 (Rs 5,000 for two months) with no financial burden.
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