Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh govt has approved a Rs 1-crore risk fund for trout fish farmers and a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 100 per kg for reservoir fish to protect farmers and fishermen against natural calamities and market fluctuations.Under the risk fund scheme, registered trout farmers will receive financial assistance for losses caused by floods, cloudbursts, landslides and other natural disasters. Farmers will have to pay an annual subscription of Rs 500 to avail the benefits.The scheme provides compensation of Rs 25,000 per raceway for the complete loss of 2,000 or more fingerlings or yearlings, with proportionate assistance for lesser losses. The maximum compensation will be Rs 50,000 per beneficiary for up to two raceways. Claims will be verified through field inspections, and payments transferred directly to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the initiatives would strengthen the rural economy, secure traditional livelihoods and create sustainable employment opportunities.Govt is also providing Rs 3,500 annually to fishermen during the annual fishing ban period under the Mukhya Mantri Machhuara Samman Nidhi Yojna. Under the scheme, fishermen selling reservoir fish below the stipulated MSP through authorised auctions will receive a govt subsidy of up to Rs 20 per kg.The scheme is expected to benefit 6,000 to 6,300 licensed reservoir fishermen annually.
