West Bengal Matsyajeebi Credit Card Scheme: Empowering Fishermen

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In a bid to empower the hardworking fishermen of West Bengal, the state government has introduced the West Bengal Matsyajeebi Credit Card Scheme.

Launched in 2021, this scheme has brought a ray of hope to the fishermen community by providing them with access to credit facilities and numerous benefits.

In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the various aspects of the West Bengal Matsyajeebi Credit Card Scheme, including its benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, application process, and key features.

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Matsyajeebi Credit Card Scheme was launched with the primary goal of providing institutional short-term credit support to fish farmers for their working capital requirements. Under this scheme, both fishermen and fish farmers are eligible to obtain credit card facilities. The beneficiaries of this scheme include:

Small and Marginal Fish Farmers
Self-help Groups
Joint Liability Groups
Fish Producer Groups
Fish Farmer Producer Organizations

The scheme is managed by the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture, Aquatic Resources, and Fishing Harbours, Government of West Bengal. It aims to reduce the dependence of farmers on the informal banking sector for credit while promoting various activities related to fisheries.

Benefits

Under the West Bengal Matsyajeebi Credit Card Scheme, fishermen can avail themselves of several attractive benefits, including:

Loan Amount: Fishermen can obtain loans of up to Rs. 2,00,000, providing them with substantial financial support for their activities.
Rebate: A rebate of 3% is offered to fishermen who repay their loans on or before the due date, incentivizing timely repayment.
No Guarantee Required: Loans up to Rs. 1.6 lakh do not require any guarantee, easing the burden on borrowers.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the scheme, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Residence: Applicants should be residents of West Bengal.

Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture:

Fishers
Fish farmers
Self-help groups
Individual and groups/partners/leaseholder farmers
Share croppers
Joint Liability Groups and Women groups

Marine Fisheries:

Applicants should be registered owners of Fishing Vessels and Boats.

Documents Required

To apply for the West Bengal Matsyajeebi Credit Card, applicants need to provide the following documents:

Residence proof
Aadhaar Card
Voter Card
Passport size Photo
Fisherman Identity card
Ownership Related Documents

Additionally, written or oral documents related to the lease of water bodies or public representatives may be required, such as those from Panchayati Raj Institutions, Municipalities, or Municipal Corporations.

Online Application Process

Beneficiaries can conveniently apply for the West Bengal Matsyajeebi Credit Card Scheme online by following these steps:

Visit the official West Bengal Matsyajeebi Credit Card portal.
Access the Fisherman Login section.
Enter the fisherman Registration number and the OTP received through the registered phone number.
Fill out the online application form with accurate information.
Upload all the essential documents on the portal.
Thoroughly review the application form.
Click on the submit button to complete the application process.

The Department of Fisheries will verify the submitted application, and once approved, the credit card will be issued to the beneficiary.

Offline Application Process

Alternatively, applicants can apply offline by following these steps:

Obtain the offline application form from the Duare Sarkar Initiative camp.
Fill out the application form accurately.
Attach all the required documents.
Submit the application form and documents at the camp.
Officials present at the camp will verify and accept the application.
Visit the Department of Fisheries office to collect your credit card.

Features of the Scheme

The West Bengal Matsyajeebi Credit Card Scheme offers several unique features:

All marginal and small fish farmers are eligible for the Matsyajeebi card.
Fishermen can avail loans of up to Rs. 2,00,000 at an attractive interest rate of 7%.
Loans up to Rs 1.6 lakh do not require any guarantee.
Repayment of loans is only required after harvesting and marketing.
Cash loans are available at concessional interest rates, promoting financial stability.
Multiple withdrawals can be made within the credit limit.
Timely loan repayment is rewarded with a subsidy on interest.

Important Links

For more information and access to relevant portals, please refer to the following links:

Contact Details

For any queries or assistance, you can reach out to the Department of Fisheries through the following contact information:

Helpline Number: 033-23570077
Email: dsfisheries@gmail.com
Address: IT Tower (7th & 8th Floor), 31-GN Block, Sector-V, Salt Lake, Kolkata-700091

In conclusion, the West Bengal Matsyajeebi Credit Card Scheme is a commendable initiative by the government to uplift the lives of fishermen and fish farmers in the state. By providing easy access to credit and a range of benefits, this scheme plays a crucial role in supporting the fishing community and boosting the fisheries sector in West Bengal. Apply today and take a step towards a brighter future in the world of fisheries.