Financial Grant for Reactivation of Mechanised Boats" under "Financial Assistance for Availing Subsidy Components for the Development of Marine Fisheries

Description
The scheme "Financial Grant for Reactivation of Mechanised Boats" is a Sub-Component under the Umbrella Scheme "Financial Assistance for Availing Subsidy Components for the Development of Marine Fisheries" by the Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, Government of Puducherry. The scheme is introduced with the objective of increasing marine fish production by extending financial grants for the reactivation of wooden/steel mechanized boats.

Benefits
• A financial grant for the reactivation of a registered wooden/steel mechanized boat will be extended at ₹ 10,000 per boat and ₹ 5,000 for a registered fiber-reinforced plastic mechanized boat.
• *The grant is subject to revision as and when approved by the Government from time to time.

Eligibility Criteria
1. - The applicant should either belong to the fishermen community or be one of those professionally engaged in fishing/fish trade occupation on a full-time basis/prospective entrepreneurs.
2. - The applicant must have resided in the Union territory of Puducherry for a continuous period of not less than five years at the time of applying for extending subsidies/ grants.
3. - The applicant must have been enrolled as a member of the Fishermen Co-operative Society and be above the age of 23 years and below 60 years.
4. - The applicant must not have been a recipient of Old Age Pension, issued by the department.
5. - The applicant should not be employed in Government/ Government Undertakings/Fishermen Co-operative Society.
6. - The applicant must not have any dues to be paid to the Department/Fishermen Co-operative Societies at the time of making the application.
7. - The applicant should possess a registered mechanized boat.
8. - The applicant should have carried out overhauling/ repairs to the engine/hull during the notified fishing ban period and should not have ventured fishing during the notified ban on fishing periods.

Application Process
Step 1: Step 1: The interested applicant should visit the Office/ Sub-Office of the Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare.
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Step 1: The interested applicant should visit the Office/ Sub-Office of the Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare.

Step 2: Step 1: The interested applicant should request the hard copy of the prescribed format of the application form from the concerned authority.
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Step 1: The interested applicant should request the hard copy of the prescribed format of the application form from the concerned authority.

Step 3: Step 2: In the application form, fill in all the mandatory fields, paste the passport-sized photograph (signed across, if required), and attach copies of all the mandatory documents (self-attest, if required).
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Step 2: In the application form, fill in all the mandatory fields, paste the passport-sized photograph (signed across, if required), and attach copies of all the mandatory documents (self-attest, if required).

Step 4: Step 3: Submit the duly filled and signed application form along with the documents to the concerned authority.
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Step 3: Submit the duly filled and signed application form along with the documents to the concerned authority.

Step 5: Step 4: Request a receipt or acknowledgment from the concerned authority to whom the application has been submitted. Ensure that the receipt contains essential details such as the date and time of submission, and a unique identification number (if…
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Step 4: Request a receipt or acknowledgment from the concerned authority to whom the application has been submitted. Ensure that the receipt contains essential details such as the date and time of submission, and a unique identification number (if applicable).

Required Documents
• Passport Sized Photograph.
• Aadhaar Card.
• Election Photo Identity Card (for Proof of Identity).
• Ration Card (for Proof of Address).
• Birth Certificate (for Proof of Age).
• Membership Certificate from the President/Administrator of Fishermen/Fisherwoman Co-operative Society (in the case of fishermen).
• Document attesting full-time engagement in fishing or fish trade occupation (in the case of Fish Traders).
• Residence Certificate indicating a continuous period of not less than five years in the Union territory of Puducherry (from Deputy Tahsildar of the Area of Residence).
• Enrollment certificate as a member of the Fishermen Co-operative Society.
• Declaration of not being a recipient of Old Age Pension.
• Declaration of not being employed in Government/Government Undertakings/Fishermen Co-operative Society.
• Declaration certifying that the applicant has no outstanding dues to the Department/Fishermen Co-operative Societies at the time of application.
• Proof of possession of a registered mechanized boat.
• Proof of overhauling/ repairs to the engine/hull during the notified fishing ban period.
• A declaration/affidavit that the applicant has not ventured for fishing during the notified ban on fishing periods.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How is the genuineness of applications verified?
A: Applications undergo field inquiry by an officer not below the rank of Sub-Inspector of Fisheries, with verification and recommendations by the scheme implementing officer, typically an Assistant Director or Deputy Director of Fisheries.

Q: Are there any restrictions on employment for eligible applicants?
A: Yes, eligible applicants should not be employed in Government, Government Undertakings, or Fishermen Co-operative Society at the time of application.

Q: What is the role of the Departmental Selection Committee in the selection process?
A: The Committee, headed by the Director of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, is responsible for selecting beneficiaries based on shortlisted eligible applicants, ensuring a fair and transparent process.

Q: Who comprises the Departmental Selection Committee for the Puducherry region?
A: The Committee includes the Director of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, Joint Director, Deputy Director (Welfare), Secretary of Puducherry State Fishermen Co-operative Federation Limited, and Deputy Director (Mechanisation).

Q: What is the timeline for shortlisting eligible beneficiaries after field inquiry work commences?
A: Eligible beneficiaries are shortlisted within 60 days from the commencement of field inquiry work, ensuring a prompt and efficient selection process.

Q: Can applicants be above the age of 60 and still qualify?
A: No, applicants must be below the age of 60 to be eligible for subsidies and grants under these rules.

Q: Can a person engaged in fish trade qualify for subsidies?
A: Yes, individuals engaged in fishing or fish trade occupations, including fish traders, are eligible for subsidies under these rules.

Q: Can applicants with outstanding dues qualify for subsidies?
A: No, applicants must not have any outstanding dues to the Department/Fishermen Co-operative Societies at the time of application to be eligible for subsidies.

Q: What is the financial grant provided for the reactivation of a registered fiber-reinforced plastic mechanized boat, and is there a possibility of revision?
A: The financial grant for reactivation is [?]5,000 per boat, and it is subject to revision upon government approval.

Q: Are there specific guidelines on the types of mechanized boats eligible for the grant, and how is the grant amount determined?
A: The grant is applicable to wooden/steel and fiber-reinforced plastic mechanized boats, with [?]10,000 and [?]5,000 amounts respectively.

Q: Who comprises the Departmental Selection Committee for the Puducherry region?
A: The Committee includes the Director of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, Joint Director, Deputy Director (Welfare), Secretary of Puducherry State Fishermen Co-operative Federation Limited, and Deputy Director (Mechanisation).