Registration of Boats by MMD
	12:45 IST

Lok Sabha Principal Officers and Surveyors-in-charge of Mercantile Marine Departments (MMDs) are notified registrars of ships in their respective jurisdiction and in particular with reference to fishing boats. These registrars have been notified to register deep sea fishing vessels which are boats of over 20 meters only as defined under the guidelines issued by Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries. For fishing vessels less than 20 meters in length, a total of 127 registrars across the country were notified on 24.6.2009. The Government has taken several steps with regard to subsidy for diesel, insurance and other benefits which are:- (i) Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) “Development of Marine fisheries, Infrastructure and Post Harvest Operations” Government of India provides rebate on HSD oil used by the motorized fishing boats below 20 meter length. The rebate is equivalent to 50% of the sales tax relief granted by the State on HSD oil for the fishing purposes. However, Central assistance is limited to Rs 3.0 per litre with a capacity of 500 litre per boat per active fishing moth. The rebate is admissible to the boats registered before 10th Plan and owned by fishers of BPL categories. The scheme is being implemented through States/UTs. (ii) Under the CSS “National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen” fishermen are covered under the group accident insurance with an annual premium of Rs. 28/- per fishermen equally shared by the Central and the State Governments. The benefits include Rs.1,00,000/- in case of death/ total permanent disability and Rs. 50,000/- on partial disability due to an accident. (iii) In order to provide assistance to the fishermen during the lean season (fishing ban period) saving cum relief component has also been implemented by the Government of India under CSS “National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen”. The fishermen contribute Rs.600/- over a period of 9 months while an equivalent amount is contributed by the Centre as well as State Government. Hence the total amount of Rs. 1800/- is disbursed back to the fishermen in equal instalment of Rs.600/- each during the 3 lean months. This information was given by the Union Minister of Shipping, Shri G. K. Vasan in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today. SP/AS