Citing that the YSR Matsyakara Bharosa scheme is an example of gender inequality, fishermen associations have urged the government to expand the scheme to cover the 60,000-odd fisherwomen in the state. There are around 60,000 fisherwomen across the state. They don’t go out on the sea as their male counterparts but are involved in fish trade in the harbour areas and at different fish markets. The fishing ban also affects them and it is a clear example of gender inequality. So we have requested the state government to extend this facility to the fisherwomen as well, Arijili Dasu, general secretary of Visakhapatnam district fishermen welfare association, told TOI. Fishermen in the age group of 21-60 years who operate motorised and non-motorised boats during the marine ban period/lean period from April 15 to June 14 are eligible for the scheme. Fisherwomen are eligible under this scheme in other south Indian states like Tamil Nadu. Since 2004, the Tamil Nadu government is paying Rs 4,500 each to the fishermen and fisherwomen of that state, added Dasu.
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