Port Blair, July 12: The Department of Fisheries in collaboration with Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and A&N State Cooperative Bank organized a Loan Mela – cum – Awareness Programme at Beodnabad Panchayat Bhavan on Tuesday.
In his address Mr Abdul Salam, Asst. Director Fisheries, South Andaman highlighted about various subsidy schemes under UT Plan, Centrally Sponsored schemes and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana. He stressed on the need for linking of Aadhaar Card with Bank Account by the Fishers for Direct Benefit Transfer under various subsidy schemes of the Department. The Fishers were advised to obtain Biometric Identity Cards and carry proper identification documents and safety equipments while venturing in the sea for fishing.
The Branch Manager, A&N State Coop. Bank, Burmanallah spoke about the Kishan Credit Card and loan schemes launched by A&N State Coop. Bank for the benefit of Fishers / Farmers. He informed that the A&N State Coop. Bank is extending loan upto `25,000/- to any person / Fisher holding fishing license, Bank account in the Cooperative Bank for Fisheries related activities. The Bank is also extending loan upto `1,00,000/- lakh for any major Fisheries related activity.
Dr. Baljit Kaur, Senior Veterinary Officer, informed about the short term training programmes conducted by the Department of Animal Husbandry for the interested farmers to take up any livestock / Poultry farming activities. She informed that after successful completion of the training programme the interested farmers can avail loan from the Bank for which required project report is formulated and approved by the Department depending on the availability of land with the farmer.
Mr Mohan Nair, Up-Pramukh appreciated the efforts of the Department of Fisheries in organizing the programme for the benefit of Fishers and Farmers of the area. He also appealed to the villagers to avail the benefits of the scheme of Department and loan facilities from the Bank for self employment. The meeting concluded with vote of thanks by Shri C. Hamza, Asst. Fisheries Dev. Officer.
The programme was attended by Pradhan, Beodnabad Panchayat, Zilla Parishad Member, Beodnabad Panchayat and Up- Pramukh, Panchayat Samity Prothrapur besides Fishers / Farmers of Beodnabad, Chidiatapu and other adjacent areas.
