Assistance to Scheduled Castes for Fisheries: Fish Collection Cum Patrolling Boat

Assistance to Scheduled Castes for Fisheries: Fish Collection Cum Patrolling Boat is a Gujarat government scheme that helps Scheduled Caste (SC) leaseholders who work in inland fisheries. It offers up to 75 percent subsidy on a fish collection cum patrolling boat and transport vehicles, so SC fishermen can upgrade their equipment without heavy spending. Applications are accepted online through the I-Khedut portal.

Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Co-operation Department runs this scheme, and Commissioner of Fisheries is the department that implements it. The main aim is to raise fish production in reservoirs and create steady work for SC people involved in inland fisheries. Anyone who holds a reservoir lease, whether an individual or a group, can use this support to improve fishing operations.

Assistance to Scheduled Castes for Fisheries: Fish Collection Cum Patrolling Boat - Introduction

This scheme is made for SC leaseholders who rear fish in reservoirs and take part in inland fishing. It covers the cost of a fish collection cum patrolling boat, which helps in moving fish from the reservoir to the market, and also supports buying a transport vehicle to carry the catch. By cutting the money burden on such equipment, the scheme lets SC fishermen run their work in a more modern and efficient way.

Support is available to individuals, registered societies, self-help groups, associations, reservoir monopoly owners, and private units. The subsidy is paid once in a lifetime for each component, so a beneficiary can claim the boat subsidy only once but may still apply for other components separately. This keeps the support fair and spreads the benefit to more eligible people across the state.

Main Aims:

• Raise fish production by rearing fish in reservoirs and providing work to SC people involved in inland fisheries.
• Encourage fish farming and fishing in freshwater bodies by SC fish farmers and fishermen.
• Improve inland fisheries through reservoir fishing, pond aquaculture, and river catch, all done by SC fish farmers.
• Give dignified and regular employment to SC fishermen in the state while increasing fish output.

Key Information

Benefits

Eligible people can get financial support for buying essential equipment to run a fishing business. The scheme pays 75 percent of the unit cost for the equipment listed below.

Important Note: The support can be availed only once in a lifetime for each component. For example, if an SC fisherman buys a boat using this subsidy, he cannot claim the same boat subsidy again, but he may still apply for other components if he is eligible.

Eligibility

To get the benefit, an applicant has to meet a few simple conditions. The points below explain who can apply.

• The applicant must belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community and hold a valid caste certificate.
• The applicant must be at least 18 years of age at the time of applying.
• The applicant must be actively involved in inland fisheries work and hold a lease on a reservoir.
• Individuals, registered societies, self-help groups, associations, and reservoir monopoly owners can all apply.
• A bank account in the applicant's own name is required to receive the subsidy payment.

Application Process

The application is submitted online through the I-Khedut Portal. Follow the steps below to register and apply.

STEP 1 - Visit the I-Khedut portal at ikhedut.gujarat.gov.in and click on 'Login' from the top right side of the homepage.

STEP 2 - Click on 'Beneficiary Registration' and choose the beneficiary type as 'Farmer', 'Institutional', or 'Except For the Farmer'.

STEP 3 - Enter the company name and address if you selected 'Institutional' or 'Except For the Farmer'. For all types, select the district, taluka, and village, choose the account holder type, enter the account number and name, solve the captcha, and click 'Save and Next'.

STEP 4 - Enter the mobile number and email address, click 'Send OTP', enter the received OTP, create and confirm a password, solve the captcha, and click 'Submit' to finish registration.

STEP 5 - Log in with the registered details, go to 'Schemes' and then 'Agricultural Schemes', select this scheme, and click on the 'Apply' button.

STEP 6 - Click 'Apply New' to submit a fresh application, fill in the required details, and confirm the application once it is complete. Take a printout of the confirmed application for your records.

For any help during the process, check the contact directory here: Contact List.

Documents

Keep the following documents ready in digital format before starting the online application.

• Identity Proof such as Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Ration Card, or Passport.
• Bank Account Passbook showing the account details clearly.
• Valid Scheduled Caste Certificate.

This scheme is part of the wider fishery support offered by the Gujarat government. Eligible people can also check other related fishery schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana for reservoir fingerling stocking to understand the full range of help available for fish farmers in the state.

References

Official Scheme Guidelines

FAQ's

Who is eligible to apply for the fish collection boat subsidy?

Only Scheduled Caste (SC) leaseholders who are actively involved in inland fisheries activities are eligible for this support.

Is there an age limit to apply?

Yes, the applicant must be above 18 years of age to apply for any benefit under this scheme.

Can my SHG or society apply for this?

Yes, registered societies, self-help groups, associations, reservoir monopoly owners, and private units involved in inland fisheries can apply.

Can I take this subsidy more than once?

No, the financial support under this scheme is available only once in a lifetime for each specific component.

Is it mandatory to have a bank account?

Yes, a bank account in the applicant's own name is mandatory to receive the subsidy payment.

What documents are accepted as identity proof?

You can use your Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Ration Card, or Passport as valid proof of identity.

Do I need to submit a caste certificate?

Yes, providing a valid Scheduled Caste certificate is mandatory to avail the benefits.

Can I apply if I do not hold a reservoir lease?

No, this scheme is made for SC leaseholders operating within reservoirs, so a valid lease is required.

How do I submit my application?

You should visit the official I-Khedut Portal to fill out and submit your application online.

Can individuals apply without being part of an organization?

Yes, individual SC fishermen who hold a valid lease can apply directly for the benefit.