Special kit to ensure safety of fisherman

New Delhi, July 13 (ANI): Centre is providing 75 per cent of the total cost of fishermen's kit, which consists of Global Positioning System, communication equipment, echo-sounder and search and rescue beacon to ensure safety of fishermen at sea, Union Defence Minister A K Antony has said.

"Under the 'Development of Fisheries, infrastructure and post-harvest operation' scheme, the Central government provides financial assistance to the tune of 75 per cent of unit cost of kit consisting of Global Positioning System, communication equipment, echo-sounder and search and rescue beacon to ensure safety of fishermen at sea," Antony said while replying to a query in the Lok Sabha on Monday.

"Government has taken an initiative to implement the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) to regulate movement of deep-sea fishing vessels in the Indian exclusive economic zone beyond the territorial waters with a hub station at Porbandar," he added.

The Coast guard had distributed 419 sets of Distress Alert Transmitters (DAT) to fishermen across the country. Antony said. (ANI)