**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Unstarred Question No. 399 in the Lok Sabha, dated December 2nd, 2025, regarding insurance coverage for fishers and fish farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying provides details on the scheme's implementation, including coverage details, investment, premium sharing arrangements, and the status of implementation in Andhra Pradesh. The document highlights that Andhra Pradesh has not participated in the Group Accidental Insurance Scheme (GAIS) so far.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Scheme Overview:**
* The Department of Fisheries implements the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to promote the Blue Revolution.
* PMMSY aims for sustainable development in the fisheries sector and the welfare of fishermen.
* The scheme has an investment of Rs. 20,050 crore across all States and Union Territories.
* **Group Accident Insurance Scheme (GAIS):**
* GAIS provides social security to fishers, including inland fishermen and fish workers, under PMMSY.
* The insurance premium is shared between the Centre and State at a 60:40 ratio for general states and 90:10 for Himalayan and North Eastern states.
* For Union Territories, the entire premium is paid by the Centre.
* **Insurance Coverage:**
* Rs. 5,00,000/- is provided against death or permanent total disability.
* Rs. 2,50,000/- is provided for permanent partial disability.
* Hospitalization expenses up to Rs. 25,000/- are covered in case of an accident.
* **Financial Aspects:**
* The government has released Rs. 149.07 crores towards premium for group accident insurance under PMMSY.
* This covers 167.30 lakh fishers, with an average of 33.46 lakh fishers annually, without any contribution from them.
* **Implementation in Andhra Pradesh:**
* Andhra Pradesh has not shown willingness to participate in the Group Accidental Insurance Scheme so far.
* The State Government provides ex-gratia to deceased fishermen families who die while fishing.
**Impact Analysis**
**Fishers and Fish Farmers**
* **Impact:** Fishers and fish farmers across India benefit from social security through GAIS under the PMMSY, except for Andhra Pradesh where the state has not participated. GAIS provides financial coverage against death, disability, and accidents.
* **Action Required:** In Andhra Pradesh, fishers and fish farmers should engage with their State Government regarding participation in the Group Accidental Insurance Scheme for comprehensive coverage.
**State Governments (specifically Andhra Pradesh)**
* **Impact:** Andhra Pradesh is not participating in the GAIS, leaving its fishermen reliant on ex-gratia payments in case of death during fishing.
* **Action Required:** Andhra Pradesh should reconsider its participation in the Group Accidental Insurance Scheme to provide comprehensive insurance coverage to its fishermen, engaging with Central Government.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): A flagship scheme implemented by the Department of Fisheries for the sustainable development of the fisheries sector and welfare of fishermen.
Group Accidental Insurance Scheme (GAIS): A social security measure for fishers, including inland fishermen and fish workers, implemented under PMMSY.
Department of Fisheries: The department responsible for implementing the PMMSY scheme.
Andhra Pradesh: State in India relevant for the implementation of insurance schemes.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 399
TO BE ANSWERED ON 2ND DECEMBER, 2025
Insurance to Fishers and Fish Farmers
399. Shri G M Harish Balayogi:
Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has provided group accident insurance coverage to fishers and
fish farmers in all districts of Andhra Pradesh, especially in Konaseema district, under Pradhan
Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY);
(b) the total number of beneficiaries (female/SC/ST) covered under this insurance scheme
during the last three years in the State, year and district-wise;
(c) the amount of funds allocated, released and utilised towards premium payments under
the scheme in the State during the last three years, year and district-wise;
(d) the details regarding the claims made, settled and pending under each category of
insurance coverage including the total amount disbursed in claims during the last three years in
the State, year and district-wise;
(e) the details regarding implementing agencies empanelled for claim settlement under the
scheme in the State; and
(f) whether the Government has set up a grievance redressal or monitoring mechanism to
address delays in claim disbursal or denial of coverage and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
(SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)
(a) to (f): The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is
implementing a flagship scheme ‘Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana” (PMMSY) to bring
about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector and
welfare of fishermen in India with an investment of Rs.20,050 crore in all States/ Union
Territories. The scheme inter-alia provides social security measure to fishers including inland
fishermen and fish workers through Group Accidental Insurance Scheme (GAIS) under PMMSY
to fishers including both marine and inland fishers and fish farmers wherein the entire insurance
premium amount is shared between the Centre & State in the ratio of 60:40 basis for General
States, 90:10 for the Himalayan & North Eastern states while in the case of the Union territories,
the entire premium amount is paid by the Centre. The insurance coverage provided under Group
Accidental Insurance Scheme includes (i) Rs.5,00,000/- against death or permanent total
disability (ii) Rs.2,50,000/- for permanent partial disability and (iii) hospitalization expenses in
the event of accident for a sum of Rs. 25,000/. Under PMMSY since its inception, Government
has released a sum of Rs.149.07 crores towards premium for group accident insurance
coverage of 167.30 lakh fishers with an average of 33.46 lakh fishers annually with no
contribution from fisher and fish farmers. As regards the implementation of Group Accidental
Insurance Scheme in Andhra Pradesh, the State has not given the willingness to participate in
Group Accidental Insurance Scheme so far and reported that State Government is providing ex-
gratia to the deceased fishermen families who died while in fishing.
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