Himachal Pradesh Mukhyamantri Machhuara Samman Nidhi Yojana

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The Himachal Pradesh Mukhyamantri Machhuara Samman Nidhi Yojana provides financial support to eligible reservoir fishermen during the annual fishing ban period. Fishing remains an important source of livelihood for families living around the reservoirs of Himachal Pradesh, but the temporary ban imposed to protect fish breeding and conserve aquatic resources affects their regular income. The scheme aims to provide financial assistance during this period and help fishermen families manage their essential expenses.

Under the Mukhyamantri Machhuara Samman Nidhi Yojana, eligible fishermen can receive ₹3,500 in financial assistance through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. The assistance is intended to provide livelihood support during the non-fishing season and reduce the financial difficulties faced by fishermen when fishing activities remain suspended.

Recently, the government has successfully transferred ₹52.50 lakh through DBT to 1,500 fishermen in the Jhanduta Assembly constituency of Bilaspur district. Under the Mukhyamantri Machhuara Samman Nidhi Yojana, each beneficiary received ₹3,500. This latest disbursement relates to fishermen in the concerned area and does not indicate that the payment has been made to all eligible fishermen across the state.

The Government has also announced additional measures for the fishing community as part of the initiative. These include waiving the five-times penalty imposed on fishermen societies and increasing the cold storage subsidy from 70% to 80%. These measures aim to provide additional support to the fisheries sector and improve facilities associated with fishing and fish storage in Himachal Pradesh.

Latest Update

On August 12, 2026, ₹52.50 lakh was transferred through DBT to 1,500 fishermen in the Jhanduta Assembly constituency of Bilaspur district under the Mukhyamantri Machhuara Samman Nidhi Yojana.

Scheme Benefits

• Eligible reservoir fishermen can receive ₹3,500 in financial assistance during the fishing ban period.
• The assistance is transferred directly to eligible beneficiaries through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
• The financial support helps fishermen's families manage their essential expenses during the temporary loss of fishing income.
• The scheme provides livelihood support to fishermen during the annual fishing ban and helps strengthen their livelihood security.
• The Government has announced a waiver of the five-times penalty imposed on fishermen societies.
• The subsidy for establishing cold storage units has been increased from 70% to 80%, providing additional support to the fisheries sector.

Eligibility Requirements

According to the Government announcement, an applicant is expected to:

• Be engaged in reservoir fishing in Himachal Pradesh.
• Be a member of a registered Fisheries Cooperative Society.
• Hold a valid fishing licence.

Documents Required

Based on the Government announcement, applicants are expected to submit:

• Valid Fishing Licence
• Aadhaar Card
• Parivar Register details
• Valid NFDP Registration Number
• Fisheries Cooperative Society Membership Certificate

Steps to Apply

The Government has not yet officially confirmed the complete application procedure. However, it is expected that eligible fishermen may be able to apply offline through the Department of Fisheries or the concerned Fisheries Cooperative Society. The expected process is as follows:

• Contact the registered Fisheries Cooperative Society with which you are associated.
• Obtain and fill out the application form as prescribed by the concerned fisheries authorities.
• Attach the required documents, including a valid fishing licence, Aadhaar Card, Parivar Register details, NFDP registration number and Fisheries Cooperative Society membership certificate.
• Submit the completed application and documents to the concerned Fisheries Cooperative Society.
• The society and concerned Fisheries Department officials will verify the application and eligibility details.
• After approval by the concerned fisheries authority, the eligible beneficiary will receive the financial assistance through DBT.

Note: The above is an expected application process. The Government has not yet officially notified the final application procedure, form or application dates.

Application Verification, Approval & DBT Payment

After the application is submitted, the concerned Fisheries Cooperative Society is expected to scrutinize the application and verify the documents submitted by the applicant. Eligible applications may then be forwarded to the Department of Fisheries for further verification.

The Fisheries Department is expected to verify the applicant's eligibility, fishing licence, Fisheries Cooperative Society membership, and other relevant records. After successful verification, the Deputy Director Fisheries or Assistant Director Fisheries of the concerned district may approve the application.

Once the application is approved, the financial assistance is expected to be credited directly to the beneficiary's Aadhaar-linked bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

Relevant Links

• Official Website of Department of Fisheries Himachal Pradesh
• Himachal Pradesh Mukhyamantri Machhuara Samman Nidhi Yojana Announcement

Contact Information

• Himachal Pradesh Fisheries Department Phone Number: 01978 224068
• Himachal Pradesh Fisheries Department Email: [email protected]
• Department of Fisheries Contact Details
• Address: Directorate of Fisheries, Matsya Bhawan, Changer Sector, Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh - 174001