This scheme is a sub-component under the “Development of Freshwater Aquaculture and Setting up of Aquarium, Ornamental Fish Breeding Centre” and is applicable across all regions of the Union Territory of Puducherry. The initiative aims to popularize aquarium keeping and encourage households to engage in ornamental fish breeding and freshwater aquaculture. Under the scheme, beneficiaries receive a 50% subsidy on the cost of purchasing an aquarium and its accessories.
Benefits
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Cost Assessment and Subsidy:
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The unit cost for an aquarium and its accessories is assessed at ₹7,000 (maximum).
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A 50% subsidy is provided by the Government, amounting to ₹3,500 per unit (maximum).
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The beneficiary contributes the remaining 50%, i.e., ₹3,500 per unit (maximum).
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Components of the Aquarium Unit:
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One aquarium or moulded aquarium
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One stand
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One power filter
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One air pump
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Two 1’ tube lights
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10 kg of gravel
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9 gold fishes
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One 100-gram fish food pocket
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One scoop net
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Eligibility
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Residency:
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The applicant must be a resident of the Union Territory of Puducherry by domicile or by birth.
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Age:
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The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
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Previous Benefits:
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Neither the applicant nor any family member should have benefited from this scheme in the previous year.
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Premises:
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The applicant must possess a pucca house or a commercial place suitable for keeping an aquarium.
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Number of Units:
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Only one unit per beneficiary is allowed.
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Application Process
Offline Process:
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Obtain Application Form:
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Visit the office of the concerned authority in your region:
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Pondicherry State Fishermen Co-operative Federation Limited (PSFCF), Puducherry
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Karaikal Fishermen Co-operative Marketing Union (KFCMU), Karaikal
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The Assistant Director of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare in Mahe or Yanam.
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Request a hard copy of the prescribed application form.
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Complete the Form:
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Fill in all mandatory fields, paste a passport-sized photograph (signed across, if required), and attach self-attested copies of all required documents.
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Submit the Form:
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Submit the completed, signed application form along with all documents to the concerned authority.
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Obtain Acknowledgment:
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Request a receipt or acknowledgment that includes the submission date, time, and a unique identification number for future reference.
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Documents Required
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Aadhaar Identity Card and Smart Card.
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Resident Certificate of the Union Territory of Puducherry (issued by the Deputy Tahsildar of the Area of Residence).
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Proof of Age.
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Ration Card (as proof of residential address).
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Electoral Identity Card, PAN Card, or Driving Licence (as photo identity proof).
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Proof of possession of a pucca house or commercial place.
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Declaration (as required).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Can an applicant be considered if they or a family member has previously benefited from the scheme?
No. Applicants or their family members must not have benefited from the scheme in the previous year. -
What is the role of the Deputy Director of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare in the Selection Committee?
They help oversee and verify the eligibility and documentation during the selection process. -
How is the subsidy amount calculated?
It is 50% of the cost of the aquarium unit, with both the subsidy and the beneficiary contribution capped at ₹3,500 each (subject to periodic revisions). -
Can an applicant specify the size of the aquarium they wish to purchase?
The scheme provides a standard unit as per the guidelines, which includes a predefined set of components. -
What is the methodology of selection recommended by the Field Officers?
Selection is based on eligibility criteria, proper documentation, and compliance with the scheme guidelines. -
Who is the target group for the aquarium subsidy scheme?
The scheme is open to residents of Puducherry interested in aquarium keeping and ornamental fish breeding. -
What does “KFCMU” refer to in the guidelines?
KFCMU stands for Karaikal Fishermen Co-operative Marketing Union, which is one of the designated authorities for application processing in the Karaikal region. -
What is the pattern of assistance for purchasing an aquarium?
The total unit cost is ₹7,000, with a 50% subsidy provided by the government (₹3,500) and the beneficiary paying the remaining 50% (₹3,500). -
What is the role of the Pondicherry State Fishermen Co-operative Federation Limited (PSFCF) in the application process?
PSFCF is one of the designated authorities where eligible applicants can submit their application forms. -
What is the scope of an aquarium under this scheme?
The standard unit includes a one-square-meter vertical garden structure equipped with essential accessories such as a stand, power filter, air pump, tube lights, gravel, gold fishes, fish food, and a scoop net. -
What is the maximum subsidy provided by the government for purchasing an aquarium?
The maximum subsidy is ₹3,500 per unit. -
What is the role of the Selection Committee?
The committee reviews submitted applications, verifies eligibility and documentation, and selects beneficiaries based on the order of submission. -
Where can I find the application form for this scheme?
The form can be obtained offline from the concerned authority’s office as listed above. -
Is there any deadline for submitting applications?
Specific deadlines are mentioned in the official advertisement; otherwise, the application is processed as per the order of submission. -
Is there any application fee?
No application fee is mentioned in the guidelines.