The Fisheries Department is toying with the idea of providing a compensation, on the lines of Gujarat and Diu governments, to the families of fishermen who are languishing in the Pakistan jail for alleged violation of international border rules. The officials are likely to suggest to the government to pay a compensation of about Rs.150 per day or Rs. 4,500 per month to the families until the fishermen were released from the Pakistan jail. An eight-member team of the fisheries officials is studying the living conditions of fishermen, who migrated to Porbandar, Mangalore, Veraval and other places in search of livelihood. The team has studied the schemes being implemented by the governments of Gujarat, Karnataka and Diu in the wake of fishermen detained by Pakistan officials for allegedly straying into their shore in November. In Gujarat Sources say that the Gujarat government pays Rs.150 per day to the families whose members have been arrested by the Pakistani authorities and the Union Territory administration does the same in Diu and Daman. About Rs.200 is paid to the fisherman family by the Diu administration. But, the scheme is not applicable to the fishermen who migrated from Andhra Pradesh and working for boat owners or contractors in Gujarat. It is being extended only to native fishermen but not migrants. Hence, a similar exercise can be done in the State, says an official, who is a part of the team and doesn’t want to be quoted. No insurance cover The fishermen from Andhra Pradesh have no insurance coverage like their counterparts in Gujarat, Karnataka and Diu. A special emphasis will be made in this regard. In those states, the next of kin of a fisherman would receive about Rs. 3 lakh in case he dies on land, Rs. 6 lakh in case of death in the sea. This apart, medical expenses are also being covered, say officials. The team has interacted with a few fishermen who are still working in Porbandar and other places. Long-term solution They are keen on coming back to the State if there are proper fishing harbours and other facilities. Instead of short or medium term, there is a need for a long-term solution. So, the focus should be on developing fishing harbours, insurance coverage and compensation on the lines of Gujarat, feels the official. Three categories The fishermen who migrate are employed as workers with fish traders there and work in three categories — kalasi, cook, tandel (driver of the boat). For a kalasi, a monthly salary is Rs.8,000 to Rs.10,000; for a cook Rs.6,000 to Rs.8,000 and for a boat driver it is Rs.15,000 to Rs.20,000. In addition, they are given advances to meet immediate needs, sources say.