Government Schemes and Policies

Choose the Correct Answer

Correct Answer : Option b

Explanation
Recently, the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana completed five years, marking significant achievements in empowering fishers through record harvests, increasing exports, and promoting inclusive and sustainable growth in the fisheries sector.

Statement I is correct: The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) was launched in May 2020 as part of the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, with a total investment of ₹20,050 crore the highest-ever allocation for the fisheries sector in India. The scheme aims to enhance fish production and productivity through the expansion, intensification, and diversification of aquaculture and inland fisheries. It focuses on modernizing and strengthening the fisheries value chain, including post-harvest infrastructure, cold chains, and marketing systems. Additionally, PMMSY seeks to improve traceability, quality, and export potential, while ensuring the doubling of fishers’ and fish farmers’ incomes and generating sustainable employment opportunities across the sector.

Statement II is correct: PMMSY is structured as an umbrella scheme with two components:

• Central Sector Scheme (CS): Fully funded and implemented by the Central Government.
• Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS): Jointly funded by the Central and State Governments, and implemented by the States/UTs.

The components of the scheme encompass enhancement of production and productivity, infrastructure and post-harvest management, and fisheries management and regulatory frameworks. This dual structure ensures comprehensive and inclusive development of the fisheries sector, effectively addressing both national priorities and local needs to promote sustainable growth and livelihood opportunities.
The reason PMMSY can effectively enhance fish production, infrastructure, and productivity is precisely because it uses a dual-component model (CS and CSS). This structure allows:

• Centralized planning and funding for national priorities (CS).
• State-led implementation tailored to local needs (CSS).
• Inclusive participation of fishers, farmers, and cooperatives.
• Balanced investment across production, infrastructure, and regulation.

Therefore, Statement II provides the structural rationale for how the goals in Statement I are achieved. So, both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I.