Kolkata : The marine fishing communities of West Bengal, led by the Dakshinbanga Matsyajibi Forum (DMF), have launched a strong protest against the non-implementation of the ‘Samudra Sathi’ livelihood assistance scheme and widespread corruption in fishworker registration (FRC).
Every year, during the mandatory fishing ban period imposed by the Government of India for the regeneration of marine resources—from 15th April to 14th June on the East Coast—fishing activities are halted. In response, both Central and State Governments provide livelihood support to affected fish workers under the ‘Savings cum Relief Scheme’. While other coastal states continue this support, West Bengal discontinued it in 2015.
For over a decade, DMF has been demanding a monthly allowance of ₹5,000 during the fishing ban. In response, the West Bengal Government announced the ‘Samudra Sathi’ scheme, promising ₹10,000 per marine fishing family (₹5,000 for each of the two months) starting in the 2024-25 financial year.
However, not a single rupee has been disbursed, despite public announcements and Gazette notifications. While the Andhra Pradesh Government provides ₹20,000 per fishing family, fish workers in West Bengal continue to face financial distress and disrespect.
In pursuit of accountability, DMF filed several RTI applications. The responses reflect alarming contradictions:
- RTI Reply (19.11.2024): “No information available”
- RTI Reply (03.01.2025): “No allotment made for the scheme”
- RTI Reply (19.06.2025): “₹12 crore allocated in FY 2025-26”
Despite this belated allocation, the ₹10,000 assistance for 2024-25 remains unpaid, leading to widespread anger and mobilization among fish workers.
DMF’s Key Demands:
- Immediate disbursement of ₹20,000, including ₹10,000 pending from 2024-25.
- Raise livelihood support to ₹15,000 per individual fish worker, not per family, from 2025-26 onwards.
- Public disclosure of all scheme beneficiaries to ensure transparency and prevent corruption.
FRC (Fishworker Registration Card) Fraught with Corruption:
The Fishworker Registration and Identity Card (FRC) program, meant to identify genuine fish workers, has become another source of grievance. Launched before the 2022 Panchayat elections, the process was supposed to formalize eligibility for future government schemes.
Instead, it has become mired in allegations of corruption, nepotism, and administrative failure:
- Many genuine fish workers were excluded from the registration process due to political bias.
- Fake registrations flourished, with political affiliates receiving identity cards despite lacking credentials.
- Several FRCs contain incorrect occupational details, affecting the holders’ future eligibility.
DMF’s Demands on FRC:
- Immediate issuance of FRCs to all genuine fish workers, without political interference.
- Revocation of all fake registrations.
- Immediate correction of faulty identity cards.
- Public display of registered fish workers’ names and addresses to maintain transparency.
Conclusion:
The Dakshinbanga Matsyajibi Forum has vowed to intensify its agitation if their demands are not met promptly. The community, already burdened by seasonal income loss, now faces betrayal by both administrative delay and systemic corruption.
The struggle of the coastal fish workers is not just for money, but for dignity, recognition and justice.
