Traditional Fisher Folk in Kerala
Traditional Fisher Folk in Kerala
The Department of Fisheries, Government of India, through its schemes, policies and programmes has taken several initiatives for the holistic development of the fisheries sector, including strengthening the livelihoods of traditional fisherfolk. Under the flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) implemented by the Department, during the last five years and the current year fisheries developmental projects amounting to ₹1,418.51 crore has been approved to Kerala.
The approved activities, inter alia, include various livelihood strengthening activities like support for deep sea fishing vessels (20 Nos), replacement boats and nets to traditional fishermen (200 Nos), installation of artificial reefs along the coast for stock rejuvenation (42 Nos), promotion of alternate/additional livelihood activities such as bivalve cultivation (1,140 Nos), biofloc units (780 Nos) and Re-Circulatory Aquaculture System (RAS) units (708 Nos), Ornamental fish rearing and breeding units (822 Nos), cages in reservoirs (493 Nos) as well as livelihood support to fishers during the fishing ban period (1,71,033 Nos). In addition, establishment of Integrated Modern Coastal Fishing Villages (09 Nos), Climate Resilient Coastal Villages (06 Nos), and extension support services including Matsya Seva Kendras (10 Nos) and Sagar Mitras (222 Nos) have also been approved to strengthen coastal fisheries and infrastructure in the State. For enhancing the shelf life of fishes and fetch more value, transport vehicles (468 Nos), fish kiosk (90 Nos), live fish vending centres (77 Nos), Value added enterprise units (10 Nos) has been also approved.
Government of Kerala has informed that through institutions such as Kerala Fishermen Welfare Fund Board and Matsyafed, several initiatives like provision of interest-free and subsidized loans for fishing inputs, micro-finance support for fishermen self-help groups, education loans for children of fishermen, financial assistance to fisherwomen engaged in fish vending, and support for procurement of fishing crafts, engines and gear are taken up. These interventions aim to strengthen income security, reduce dependence on informal credit sources, and promote self-employment among fishing communities.
(b) to (e): The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) being the nodal Ministry on the subject matter has informed that as kerosene is a polluting fuel and adversely impacts public health, PDS Kerosene allocation to States/UTs including Kerala have been rationalized since 2010-11 and that till date 21 States/UTs have already become PDS kerosene free.
The Government of India has formulated a new “PDS Kerosene Allocation Policy” for the period 2025-26 to 2027-28 after consultations with stakeholders including the Government of Kerala. Under this policy, allocation is made under a single category of “PDS SKO” on a quarterly basis for cooking and lighting as well as for special needs. States/UTs have the flexibility to sub-allocate the quantity for cooking and lighting or for special requirements such as fisheries, melas, exhibitions, pandemics or calamities based on their specific requirements. Distribution of PDS kerosene within the State under the PDS network and the scale and criteria of distribution to end beneficiaries are determined by the respective State/UT Governments.
The MoPNG has also informed that under the new policy the State of Kerala has been allocated 22,704 KL of PDS SKO for the year 2025-26 as against the total allocation of PDS SKO 4,368 KL (subsidized and non-subsidized) for 2024-25, reflecting an increase of 419.78% in allocation. The details of allocation and upliftment during 2025-26 (up to the third quarter) indicate that against quarterly allocations of 5,676 KL, the State uplifted 924 KL in Q1, 5,580 KL in Q2 and 5,544 KL in Q3, with the remaining quantity lapsed in the respective quarters. Further, effective from 1st March 2020, NIL under-recovery is maintained on a pan-India basis for the retail selling price of PDS kerosene.
This information was given by Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh in the Lok Sabha today in response to a question asked.