NT Reporter
Panaji
More than 14,500 fishers in Goa have been brought under insurance coverage through the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), aimed at providing social security to those engaged in the fisheries sector.
The scheme offers group accidental insurance coverage to both marine and inland fishers, as well as allied fish workers.
The premium is shared between the Centre and the State in a 60:40 ratio for general states, while the Centre bears a higher share for Himalayan and northeastern states. In Union Territories, the entire premium is funded by the Centre.
Under the scheme, insurance coverage includes Rs 5 lakh in case of death or permanent total disability, Rs2.5 lakh for permanent partial disability, and up to Rs 25,000 towards hospitalisation expenses in the event of an accident.
Since 2021-22, the Centre has released Rs 149.07 crore to extend insurance coverage to 167.33 lakh fishers across the country, averaging 33.46 lakh beneficiaries annually.
As per the standard operating procedure, claims must be reported within 120 days of an accident, with all required documents submitted within 180 days. Insurance companies are mandated to settle claims within 15 days of receiving complete documentation.
The enhanced coverage under PMMSY marks a significant improvement over the earlier Blue Revolution Scheme, offering higher benefits and wider coverage following feedback from states and subsequent evaluation.
The move is expected to strengthen financial security and risk mitigation for fishers.
