Hyderabad, March 12 : Telangana Animal Husbandry Minister Srinivas Yadav on Saturday informed the Assembly that the government was promoting Pisciculture in the state in a big way. Replying to questions raised by the members in the house during the question hour, Yadav said for strengthening the Rural economy in the state, the government has taken up several initiatives. After formation of Telangana state, stocking of fish seed and Prawn juveniles are taken up with 100 per cent grant to increase the fish production in the state and to increase livelihood of fishermen, he said. The Minister said, before the Telangana state was formed, the Pisciculture was developed in 598 tanks by spending Rs 7.88 crore. After Telangana state was formed, the Pisciculture was developed by spending Rs 77.47 crore. Stating that about 37 lakh people directly and several lakhs of people indirectly benefiting under the scheme, Srinivas said besides two-wheelers, 150 mobile vehicles were introduced to provide market facility to the fishermen comm ty. The Minister said, “All the fishers registered with the Department are covered by the Group Accident Insurance Scheme. A premium amount of Rs 72.44 is being paid by the state government and the Central Government on 60:40 basis provided Rs 97,60,435 to 3,36,799 fishers.” The Government of India has appointed the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) as Nodal Agency for implementation of Scheme “Insurance to Fishers” under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) from 2021-22 onwards, he said. Under Savings-cum Relief scheme, financial assistance is provided to the fishermen licensees during the fishing ban period for livelihood support and inculcating the habit of thrift. The fishermen have to save Rs 1,500 over a period of 9 months and the state government will provide Rs 3,000. The total amount of Rs 4,500 will be paid to the fishers during the fishing ban period, the Minister added. VV CS1507