MMKY - Input Assistance to WSHGs for Pisciculture in Gram Panchayat Tanks

The scheme “Input Assistance to Women Self Help Groups for Pisciculture in Gram Panchayat Tanks” was launched by the Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Department, Government of Odisha. It aims to utilize the Gram Panchayat tanks for pisciculture by providing income generation opportunities for local WSHGs and to increase the productivity of the GP Tank from the present level (0.5 to 2 MT) up to 4.0 MT/Ha, thereby enhancing fish production of the State with contributions from these water bodies. Through this scheme, input subsidy assistance on a tapering basis for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year of culture, respectively, is provided to WSHGs to continue scientific pisciculture in GP tanks. The scheme will be implemented in all 30 districts of the State, covering approximately 11,000 WSHGs and 11,273 Ha of GP tanks under three components, including newly tagged GP tanks as well as tanks under 2nd and 3rd year culture. The scheme covers the cost of fish/prawn seed, feed, pond cleaning, harvesting, medicine, and other inputs as per requirement. Long-term lease of GP tanks for 3–5 years shall be provided as per PR&DW Department guidelines to enable extended planning and investment in pisciculture activity.

Objectives

1. To utilize the Gram Panchayat tanks for pisciculture by providing income generation opportunities for local WSHGs.
2. To increase the productivity of the GP Tank from present level (0.5 to 2 MT) up to 4.0 MT/Ha, thereby enhancing fish production of the State with contribution from these water bodies.

Component–1 (WSHGs Newly Tagged to GP Tanks – 1st Year Culture)

1. Nature of Benefit: Input subsidy assistance for pisciculture in GP tanks.
2. Unit Cost: ₹4,00,000/- per ha per crop.
3. Subsidy Pattern

- 60% of the unit cost.
- Subsidy Amount: ₹2,40,000/- per Ha.

Component–2 (WSHGs Continuing 2nd Year Culture)

1. Nature of Benefit: Input subsidy assistance for continuation of pisciculture in GP tanks.
2. Unit Cost: ₹4,00,000/- per ha.
3. Subsidy Pattern:

- 50% of the actual cost incurred.
- Subsidy limited to ₹2,00,000/- per Ha.

1. Linked Conditions:

- WSHG must have availed assistance during the last year or before, and availed the 1st year subsidy.
- Lease period must be valid for the current financial year.

Component–3 (WSHGs Continuing 3rd Year Culture)

1. Nature of Benefit: Input subsidy assistance for the continuation of pisciculture in GP tanks.
2. Unit Cost: ₹4,00,000/- per Ha.
3. Subsidy Pattern:

- 40% of the actual cost incurred.
- Subsidy limited to ₹1,60,000/- per Ha.

1. Linked Conditions:

- WSHG must have availed assistance 2 years ago or before, and availed a subsidy in the previous year.
- Lease period must be valid for the current financial year.

> Inputs (unit costs) Covered for the 3 components:

1. Pond clearance/drying, desilting, and ploughing (if required)
2. Cost for sampling and testing kits
3. Lime – 900 kg at ₹12/kg
4. Pond water management inputs (Probiotics/prebiotics/growbiotics, ammonia binder, plankton generation products, raw cow dung and its other forms, inorganic manure, etc.)
5. Fish seed, including transportation – 5000 nos at ₹12/- per fingerling
6. Fish feed at 1.5:1 FCR – 7500 kg at ₹36/kg
7. Harvesting charges per Ha
8. Medicine/Prophylaxis (Disinfectants, Multivitamins, Minerals, Oxy tabs, etc.)
9. Miscellaneous (additional cost of input to manage critical pond condition)

Disbursement of Funds:

1. Subsidy shall be released through RTGS/Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode by the District Fisheries Officer to the Bank account of the WSHG.
2. Expected Time of Disbursement is within 15 days after receipt of vouchers/other required documents/photographs from the Assistant Fisheries Officer and certification regarding stocking of fingerlings and application of feed.
3. Validity Period for long-term lease of GP tanks is for 3–5 years as per Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department guidelines.

1. The applicant must be an existing and suitable Women Self-Help Group under the Department of Mission Shakti from all 30 districts of the State of Odisha.
2. The Women Self-Help Group must be tagged with a selected Gram Panchayat tank identified by the Assistant Fisheries Officer in coordination with the Block Mission Shakti Coordinator and Panchayat Executive Officer.
3. The applicant must apply for a long-term lease of the Gram Panchayat tank before the Sarpanch of the concerned Gram Panchayat.
4. The Gram Panchayat tank must be provided a long-term lease for 3–5 years as per Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department guidelines.
5. In case any Women Self-Help Group who availed assistance for pisciculture in Gram Panchayat tanks earlier under the said scheme or any similar scheme like OIIPCRA and OMBADC for less than 2 Ha shall be eligible for availing assistance up to 2 Ha for doing pisciculture in Gram Panchayat tank on a long-term lease basis.
6. The Women Self-Help Group must undertake scientific pisciculture and stocking of fish fingerlings in the presence of the Assistant Fisheries Officer/Block Programme Coordinator, Mission Shakti/Block Programme Manager, Odisha Livelihoods Mission, and local PRI members, and geo-tagging is mandatory for the release of subsidy.

Component–1 (1st Year Culture – Newly Tagged WSHGs)

1. The applicant must be newly tagged to the Gram Panchayat tank during the applicable year.

Component–2 (2nd Year Culture – Continuing WSHGs)

1. The applicant must have availed the 1st year subsidy, or before.
2. The applicant must be continuing pisciculture in the 2nd year.
3. The lease period must be valid for the current year to take up pisciculture.

Component–3 (3rd Year Culture – Continuing WSHGs)

1. The applicant must have already availed assistance under the scheme 2 years ago or before the applicable year.
2. The applicant must have availed a subsidy in the previous years.
3. The applicant must be continuing pisciculture in the 3rd year.
4. The lease period must be valid for the current year.

Offline

Step 1: Directorate of Fisheries allocates district-wise physical and financial targets under the scheme based on potentiality and feasibility in consultation with Mission Shakti Department and Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department. For Components–2 & 3, allocation is based on the previous year's achievement. District officials may enhance allocation up to 25% of their allocated target and reallocate block targets as per demand.
Step 2: Assistant Fisheries Officer (AFO), in coordination with Block Mission Shakti Coordinator and Panchayat Executive Officer, identifies suitable Gram Panchayat (GP) tanks available for lease before the auction process at the block level. GP tanks in derelict condition may be identified for renovation under MGNREGS through the Block Development Officer. Community tanks under Urban Local Authorities such as Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, and NACs eligible for long-term lease shall also be covered. Wherever possible, GP tanks (preferably newly excavated or renovated) shall be identified at a 1:10 ratio as per Water Spread Area coverage for the production of advanced fingerlings under the cluster approach.
Step 3: For Component–1, the tagged WSHG applies for a long-term lease before the Sarpanch of the concerned Gram Panchayat, along with:

1. Resolution of the WSHG for availing the GP tank on long-term lease
2. Photocopy of updated Bank Pass Book
3. Copy of Gradation Certificate issued by OLM/Mission Shakti

For Components–2 & 3, WSHG applies with:

1. Photocopy of the lease document for continuing pisciculture during the current financial year
2. Photocopy of the resolution for continuing 2nd or 3rd year culture
3. Photocopy of updated Bank Pass Book
4. Document showing evidence of receipt of subsidy from Fisheries & ARD Department (copy of passbook page – optional; verified at DFO office if required)

The Gram Panchayat passes a resolution, and the Sarpanch submits a proposal to the Block Development Officer (BDO), who forwards it to the Sub-Collector/Collector for a long-term lease (for Component–1 cases).
Step 4: Upon approval, the lease agreement is executed by BDO on payment of the prescribed lease value in Form-F for a period of 3–5 years as per PR&DW guidelines. DFO and AFO follow up with block and district authorities for facilitating long-term leases. For continuation components, DFO verifies lease validity.
Step 5: After receipt and verification of required documents, the District Fisheries Officer (DFO) issues a Go Ahead with a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to eligible WSHGs. Block-level trainings for WSHGs are conducted by AFO and monitored by DFO. AFO/DFO may facilitate credit linkage from banks wherever required.
Step 6: WSHG undertakes pond preparation and stocking of fish fingerlings in the presence of AFO/BPC/BPM (any one official from Mission Shakti/OLM) and local PRI member(s). Stocking must be geo-tagged. At least three GPS photographs during stocking, liming/feeding, and harvesting shall be documented in the case record. For Components–2 & 3, at least three joint visits by AFO and BPC/BPM during stocking, culture, and harvesting are required.
Step 7: WSHG submits bills and vouchers of all inputs, including seed, fee,d and other components, along with geo-tagged photographs. A joint certificate from AFO and BPM of OLM or BPC, Mission Shakti, confirming scientific pisciculture and application of feed, is submitted to DFO. Monthly progress reports and a list of WSHGs covered under the scheme with GP tank details are uploaded on the Directorate of Fisheries website and the Decision Support System (DSS) portal.
Step 8: DFO releases subsidy through RTGS/Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode to the bank account of the WSHG in a single stage.

Notes (As Per Guidelines):

• The lease agreement shall be executed in Form-F.
• No upper ceiling for Water Spread Area for first-time leasing; earlier beneficiaries under similar schemes are eligible up to 2 Ha.
• Subsidy shall be released only after stocking of fish seed and submission of bills/vouchers with joint certification.
• Subsidy shall be limited to 50% or 40% of the actual cost incurred for Components–2 & 3, respectively, subject to the monetary ceiling.
• Project Implementing Cost (PIC) @1% shall be utilized for monitoring and supervision.
• Block-level, District-level, and State-level monitoring mechanisms, including the District Level Committee and the State Level Monitoring Committee, shall supervise implementation.
• Components–2 & 3 shall be operational only upon the provision of funds with specific communication.
• Timeline includes identification (April–September), lease processing within 30 days of identification, issuance of Go Ahead within one month of lease, stocking immediately after lease and cleaning, training before scientific pisciculture, and subsidy disbursement within 15 days of document submission.

For Component–1 (1st Year – Long-Term Lease Cases)

1. Resolution Of The WSHG For Availing The GP Tank On Long-Term Lease.
2. Photocopy Of The Updated Bank Pass Book Of The WSHG.
3. Copy Of The Gradation Certificate Issued By OLM / Mission Shakti.

For Component–2 & Component–3 (Continuation Cases)

1. Photocopy Of The Lease Document For Continuing Pisciculture During the Current Financial Year.
2. Photocopy Of The Resolution Of WSHG For Pisciculture For Continuing 2nd And 3rd Year Culture.
3. Photocopy Of The Updated Bank Pass Book Of The WSHG.
4. Document Showing Evidence Of Receipt Of Subsidy From Fisheries & ARD Department Towards Taking Up Pisciculture In GP Tank (Copy Of Pass Book Page Showing Receipt Of Subsidy – Optional; Wherever Any Difficulties Faced By The WSHG, It Shall Be Verified At The DFO Office).