₹62.46 crore sanctioned for livelihood support scheme for fishers in Keralam

For context, the State administration has sanctioned ₹62.46 crore for implementing a Centrally-supported scheme for livelihood backing of fishers during the lean months in the current fiscal.

What happened

In practice, the Fisheries department has issued orders for initially utilising ₹20 crore from this amount on the scheme titled 'Livelihood and nutritional backing for socio-economically backward active traditional fishers for conservation of fisheries resource during ban/lean months.'

In practice, the scheme was implemented with the aim of supporting fishers during the lean months and additionally to encourage saving habits. The Union administration had written to the Keralam administration on August 13 sanctioning ₹62.46 crore for the scheme (₹20.82 crore each as the Central, State and beneficiary shares).

Through a separate order, the Finance department has cleared the distribution of widow pension for July 2026 through the Kerala Matsyathozhilali Welfare Fund Board. The department has sanctioned ₹1.79 crore for the purpose.

The bottom line

Taken together, the developments around ₹62.46 crore sanctioned for livelihood support scheme for fishers in Keralam point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.