Families of fishermen in Andhra Pradesh are eligible for an ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh in the case of accidental death while fishing under the YSR Matsyakara Bharosa scheme. Mosa Kanakaraju (54), a resident of Aminabad in East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh was out fishing at sea in his small boat, along with two of his sons, on December 2, 2020. As he cast his net into the waters, he lost his balance and fell overboard. Despite trying their best, Kanakaraju’s sons couldn’t rescue him. The accidental death made the widow of the fisherman, Mosa Laxmi, eligible for ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh under the YSR Matsyakara Bharosa scheme – an amount that could never compensate for her husband’s life but would be a big help to her family. However, over a year since applying for the ex gratia, the money has not been released to the family.
Speaking to TNM, Mosa Rambabu, the eldest son of the deceased fisherman, said, “We have followed up several times with the officials in the Fisheries Department. The claim was sent from the district and was also sanctioned for release but we did not receive the money. My mother too visited the office several times. They keep assuring us that the money will come. Last we were told that the file is in the Finance Office,” said Rambabu.
Rambabu’s family are not the only ones awaiting the release of ex gratia – nearly half the claims under the YSR Matsyakara Bharosa scheme are awaiting sanction of the eligible money. Speaking to TNM, Kanna Babu, Fisheries Commissioner, revealed, “The department has received 116 total claims [from November 2019 to January 12, 2022] out of which 64 have been settled by sanctioning Rs 5 lakh each. The remaining 52 are yet to be cleared. The claims from April 2021 are awaiting clearance.”
The YSR Matsyakara Bharosa was launched by Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy in November 2019. The scheme enhanced the existing Rs 5 lakh ex gratia that was being given to the families of deceased fishermen to Rs 10 lakh. Explaining the process, a Joint Director of Fisheries from one of the districts said, “Before the launch of this scheme, the deceased fishermen’s families were eligible for only Rs 5 lakh. After this scheme was launched, in the case of death, the fishermen’s families are now eligible for a total of Rs 10 lakh, Rs 5 lakh from the fisheries department and Rs 5 lakh from the labour department.”
All fishermen between 18-60 years of age are eligible for the ex gratia in the case of accidental death while at sea. Under this scheme, they are also extended other subsidies and financial assistance. The scheme provided a diesel subsidy for fishermen and financial assistance during the annual fishing ban period between April and June…