Uttar Pradesh Nishadraj Boat Subsidy Yojana: Benefits, Eligibility & Apply

Nishadraj Boat Subsidy Yojana is a state scheme by the Matsya Vibhag, Government of Uttar Pradesh, that provides a 40% subsidy, up to Rs. 26,800, on the purchase of a wooden fishing boat or an FRP Boat, a fishing net, a life jacket, and an icebox for eligible fish farmers and fishermen. The scheme targets 3,000 beneficiaries per year.

Introduction of Uttar Pradesh Nishadraj Boat Subsidy Yojana: A Brief Insight

For fishermen and fish farmers along the rivers, lakes, and ponds of Uttar Pradesh, a boat is not a luxury – it is their livelihood. Without a boat, a fisherman cannot reach deeper waters, cannot manage fish in large ponds, and cannot earn enough to feed his family. The cost of a fishing boat with a net, life jacket, and icebox runs close to Rs. 67,000, an amount that most poor fishermen cannot afford on their own. To solve this problem, the Government of Uttar Pradesh launched the Nishadraj Boat Subsidy Yojana through the Matsya Vibhag vide Government Order dated 31 March 2023.

The scheme is named after Nishadraj, a revered figure in the fishermen community, symbolising dignity and strength. The Matsya Vibhag, Government of Uttar Pradesh, implements the scheme through District-Level Committees headed by the Chief Development Officer in every district. The scheme runs for five years from FY 2022-23 to FY 2026-27 with a total budget of Rs. 44.425 crore.

Under the Nishadraj Boat Subsidy Yojana of the UP Government, eligible fish farmers and fishermen receive a 40% subsidy on the purchase of a Wooden Fishing Boat or FRP Boat (15 to 18 feet), fishing net, life jacket, and icebox. The total unit cost is Rs. 67,000, of which the government bears Rs. 26,800 and the beneficiary bears the remaining 60%. The subsidy is back-ended; the beneficiary first purchases the items, submits certified bills to the District Matsya Office, and after verification, the subsidy is transferred to the bank account through DBT. The scheme targets 3,000 beneficiaries per year and 15,000 beneficiaries over five years.

Priority in selection goes to members of 12 traditional fishermen communities, Kewat, Mallah, Nishad, Bind, Dheemar, Kashyap, Batham, Raikwar, Manjhi, Godiya, Kahar, and Turaiya – with Antyodaya Ration Cards receiving the highest priority. Applications are accepted online at fisheries.up.gov.in and offline at the District Matsya Office when the annual window opens.

Fishermen in Uttar Pradesh who want to explore additional support for aquaculture and fish production can check the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, which provides financial assistance for fish farming infrastructure, equipment, and livelihood support to fishermen and fish farmers across India. UP fishermen can also explore the Mukhyamantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, which provides subsidy support for fish farming in gram sabha ponds specifically for the traditional fishermen community leaseholders in Uttar Pradesh.

Fishermen, fish farmers, and anyone looking for more livelihood and welfare schemes available under the Uttar Pradesh Government can explore all available programmes on our Uttar Pradesh Government Welfare Schemes page.

Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries

The Government of Uttar Pradesh provides the following financial benefits to selected beneficiaries under the Nishadraj Boat Subsidy Yojana:

• 40% subsidy on the purchase of a wooden fishing boat or a fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) Boat, a fishing net, a life jacket, and an icebox
• Maximum subsidy per beneficiary: Rs. 26,800 (40% of unit cost of Rs. 0.67 lakh)
• Remaining 60% cost borne by the beneficiary through their own resources or a bank loan
• Subsidy is transferred directly to the beneficiary’s bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) after purchase and verification

Items Covered Under the Subsidy

• Unit cost increases by 5% annually from FY 2023-24 onwards – total increase of 20% by FY 2026-27
• If the actual cost of the boat exceeds Rs. 0.67 lakh, the additional amount is borne by the beneficiary
• Annual target: 3,000 beneficiaries per year
• Five-year target: 15,000 beneficiaries across Uttar Pradesh

Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled

The Matsya Vibhag has defined the following eligibility conditions for the Nishadraj Boat Subsidy Yojana. Three categories of applicants are covered under the scheme:

• Fish farmers who hold a lease of a pond of 0.4 hectares or more for fish farming
• Private pond owners engaged in fish farming
• Persons from the fishermen community engaged in fishing and boating in rivers, lakes, and water bodies as defined under the Revenue Code 2016
• Applicant must not already own a boat
• Applicant must not have received a boat subsidy under any other government scheme

Priority Order for Selection

• First Priority: Members of the 12 traditional fishermen communities – Kewat, Mallah, Nishad, Bind, Dheemar, Kashyap, Batham, Raikwar, Manjhi, Godiya, Kahar, Turaiya or Turaha – who hold an Antyodaya Ration Card
• Second Priority: Members of the above 12 communities who do not have a pucca house
• Third Priority: Other members of the above 12 traditional fishermen communities
• Fourth Priority: Other persons traditionally engaged in fish farming as defined under the Revenue Code 2016

Who Is Not Eligible

• Applicants who already own a boat
• Applicants who have previously received a boat subsidy under any other central or state government scheme
• Persons not engaged in fish farming or fishing activity

Documents Required to be Attached

Applicants must submit the following documents while applying for the Nishadraj Boat Subsidy Yojana through the departmental portal at fisheries.up.gov.in or at the nearest District Matsya Office:

• Passport-size photograph of the applicant
• Identity proof – Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, or Voter ID Card
• Bank account details – passbook copy or bank statement copy
• Self-sworn affidavit (Shapath Patra)
• Land records copy confirming lease or ownership of a pond of 0.4 hectares or more – for fish farmers
• Permission certificate for fishing or boating activity – signed and countersigned by Village Panchayat member, Village Head (Gram Pradhan), Area Panchayat member, District Panchayat member, Councillor, MLA, or MP – for fishermen engaged in fishing and boating in rivers and water bodies

After selection and purchase of the boat, net, life jacket, and icebox, the beneficiary must submit certified bills and vouchers to the District Matsya Office for subsidy disbursement. The subsidy amount transfers to the beneficiary’s bank account through DBT only after verification by the district-level departmental officer. Visit fisheries.up.gov.in for the latest document guidelines and application format.

How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme

Nishadraj Boat Subsidy Yojana accepts applications both online through the departmental portal and offline at the District Matsya Office. The Matsya Vibhag, Government of Uttar Pradesh, invites applications through advertisements and the departmental portal when the application window opens each year. Keep all required documents ready before applying.

Method 1: Apply Online

Step 1: Visit the official UP Fisheries Department portal at fisheries.up.gov.in when the application window is open. The department announces the application dates through official notifications and advertisements each year.

Step 2: Register on the portal using your Aadhaar card number and mobile number. Complete OTP verification to create your login credentials.

Step 3: Log in and select Nishadraj Boat Subsidy Yojana from the list of available schemes. Fill in all personal details – your full name, father’s name, address, district, community details, pond or water body details, and bank account information.

Step 4: Upload all required documents – photograph, identity proof, bank passbook copy, self-sworn affidavit, and land records or permission certificate for fishing and boating activity.

Step 5: Review all details carefully and submit the application. Note down the application reference number for future tracking.

Method 2: Apply Offline

Step 1: Visit the nearest District Matsya Office during working hours. Collect the prescribed application form and fill in all required details such as personal information, community details, pond or water body details, and bank account information.

Step 2: Attach self-attested copies of all required documents – photograph, identity proof, bank passbook copy, self-sworn affidavit, and land records or permission certificate.

Step 3: Submit the completed application form to the District Matsya Office. The district officer will upload your application to the departmental portal. Collect an acknowledgement receipt after submission.

Selection and Subsidy Disbursement Process

Step 1: The District Level Committee (DLC) headed by the Chief Development Officer (CDO) reviews all applications and prepares four separate priority lists based on eligibility. Each list is randomised separately, and then a combined final list is prepared and uploaded to the portal.

Step 2: The Director of Matsya Vibhag determines the district-wise beneficiary count based on available budget, number of applications, and fisheries potential of each district.

Step 3: After selection, the beneficiary must purchase the approved Wooden Fishing Boat or FRP Boat (length 15 to 18 feet), fishing net, life jacket, and icebox from empanelled vendors. The beneficiary bears the full purchase cost initially, either through their own resources or a bank loan.

Step 4: After purchase, submit the certified bills and vouchers to the District Matsya Office. The district-level departmental officer verifies the purchase documents along with photographic evidence.

Step 5: After verification, the subsidy amount of up to Rs. 26,800 is transferred directly to the beneficiary’s bank account through DBT in one instalment. The subsidy is back-ended – it is paid only after the purchase is completed and verified.

For more details and to apply when the application window opens, visit fisheries.up.gov.in or contact the Assistant Director Matsya at your district Collectorate.

Difference Between Nishadraj Boat Subsidy Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana

In simple terms, if you are a fisherman or fish farmer in Uttar Pradesh specifically looking for boat and fishing equipment support, apply under the Nishadraj Boat Subsidy Yojana at fisheries.up.gov.in. For broader fisheries infrastructure support, including fish farming ponds, cold storage, fish markets, and other equipment, explore the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.

Important Links Available

• UP Fisheries Department Official Portal – Apply for Nishadraj Boat Subsidy Yojana
• Nishadraj Boat Subsidy Yojana – Official Scheme Details
• Uttar Pradesh Government Orders – Verify GO Authenticity

Contact Details in Case of Help Needed

• Department: Matsya Vibhag (Fisheries Department), Government of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow
• District Level: Assistant Director Matsya or Chief Executive Officer at the Collectorate of your district during working hours
• Division Level: Deputy Director Matsya of your division for escalated queries

For scheme-related queries, application assistance, and vendor empanelment details, visit the official portal at fisheries.up.gov.in or contact the Assistant Director Matsya at your nearest district Collectorate.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What is Nishadraj Boat Subsidy Yojana?

Ans. Nishadraj Boat Subsidy Yojana is a state scheme launched by the Government of Uttar Pradesh for the Matsya Vibhag (Fisheries Department) that provides a 40% subsidy on the purchase of wooden fishing boats or FRP boats, fishing nets, life jackets, and iceboxes to poor fishermen and fish farmers. The maximum subsidy per beneficiary is Rs. 26,800. The scheme runs for five years from FY 2022-23 to FY 2026-27 with a target of 3,000 beneficiaries per year and 15,000 beneficiaries in five years.

Q. Who can apply for the Nishadraj Boat Subsidy Yojana?

Ans. Three categories of applicants are eligible: fish farmers who hold a lease of ponds of 0.4 hectares or more, private pond owners engaged in fish farming, and persons from the fishermen community engaged in fishing and boating in rivers and water bodies as defined under Revenue Code 2016. The applicant must not already own a boat and must not have received a boat subsidy under any other government scheme.

Q. How much subsidy is provided under this scheme?

Ans. The government provides a 40% subsidy on the total unit cost of Rs. 67,000, covering boat, net, life jacket, and icebox. The maximum subsidy per beneficiary is Rs. 26,800. The remaining 60% – that is Rs. 40,200 – is borne by the beneficiary through their own resources or a bank loan. If the actual cost exceeds Rs. 67,000, the extra amount is also borne by the beneficiary.

Q. What items are covered under the subsidy?

Ans. The subsidy covers a wooden fishing boat or Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Boat with a length of 15 to 18 feet at a unit cost of Rs. 50,000, and a fishing net, life jacket, and icebox at a unit cost of Rs. 17,000. The total unit cost is Rs. 67,000, of which the government bears 40% as a subsidy.

Q. Is the subsidy paid before or after the purchase?

Ans. The subsidy is back-ended – it is paid only after the purchase is completed and verified. The beneficiary must first purchase the boat and equipment, submit certified bills and vouchers to the District Matsya Office, and after verification by the district-level officer, the subsidy amount of up to Rs. 26,800 is transferred to the beneficiary’s bank account through DBT in one instalment.

Q. Which communities get priority under this scheme?

Ans. Members of the 12 traditional fishermen communities – Kewat, Mallah, Nishad, Bind, Dheemar, Kashyap, Batham, Raikwar, Manjhi, Godiya, Kahar, and Turaiya or Turaha – who hold an Antyodaya Ration Card get priority. Members of these same 12 communities without a pucca house get second priority. Other members of these 12 communities get third priority. Other persons traditionally engaged in fish farming get fourth priority.

Q. How many beneficiaries are selected every year?

Ans. The scheme targets 3,000 beneficiaries per year. Over the five-year scheme period from FY 2022-23 to FY 2026-27, the total target is 15,000 beneficiaries across Uttar Pradesh. If the annual target is not met in a particular year, the remaining target is added to the next year’s target.

Q. How are beneficiaries selected?

Ans. The District Level Committee (DLC) headed by the Chief Development Officer (CDO) selects beneficiaries. Applications are received online at fisheries.up.gov.in and offline at the District Matsya Office. The DLC prepares four separate priority lists, randomises each list separately, combines them into one final list, and uploads it to the portal. The Director of Matsya Vibhag determines the district-wise beneficiary count based on budget and fisheries potential.

Q. How can I apply for this scheme?

Ans. Applications are accepted online at fisheries.up.gov.in and offline at the District Matsya Office when the application window opens each year. The Matsya Vibhag announces application dates through official notifications. Applicants must register on the portal, fill in all details, upload required documents, and submit the application before the announced deadline.

Q. Can a person who already owns a boat apply?

Ans. No. Only applicants who do not already own a boat are eligible. Similarly, persons who have previously received a boat subsidy under any other central or state government scheme are also not eligible for this scheme.

Q. What documents are required to apply?

Ans. Required documents include passport-size photograph, identity proof (Aadhaar/PAN/Voter ID), bank passbook copy or bank statement, self-sworn affidavit, and land records copy for fish farmers or permission certificate for fishing and boating activity signed by a Village Head, MLA, MP, or other authorised local representative.

Q. What is the total budget for this scheme?

Ans. The total budget for the five-year scheme period is Rs. 44.425 crore. The annual budget starts at Rs. 8.04 crore in FY 2022-23 and increases by 5% every year, reaching Rs. 9.772 crore in FY 2026-27.

Q. Who monitors the implementation of this scheme?

Ans. The Assistant Director Matsya is responsible for monitoring at the district level and the Deputy Director Matsya is responsible at the division level. Headquarters and division-level officers conduct surprise inspections from time to time. The DLC also monitors implementation and photographic and video evidence of purchased items is maintained at the district level.

Tabassum

Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare scheme programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.