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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1492
ANSWERED ON 28/07/2026
TRADITIONAL FISHERFOLK IN KERALA
1492. Shri N K Premachandran:
Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government has any proposal to ensure the livelihood of traditional fisherfolk in
Kerala, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government examined the difficulties of fisherfolk in Kerala due to shortage of
allocation of Kerosene to Kerala and if so, the steps taken by the Government to increase the
allotment of kerosene to Kerala;
(c) whether the Government has any proposals to increase the allotment of subsidised kerosene
for the supply to fisherfolk for operating their outboard motor and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has evaluated the crisis of fisherfolk in Kerala due to reduction of
allocation of kerosene in Kerala from 37056 KL from 2020-21 to 1854 KL; and
(e) if so, the details of action taken by the Government to enhance the allotment of more
subsidized kerosene for fisherfolk?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
(SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)
(a): The Department of Fisheries, Government of India (DoF, GoI) is implementing various
schemes for holistic development of fisheries sector in all States/UTs including Kerala. The
major schemes include Blue Revolution Scheme (2015-16 to 2019-20), extending Kisan Credit
Card (KCC) to fisheries (since 2018-19), Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development
Fund (FIDF) (2018-19 to 2025-26), ‘Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana’ (PMMSY)’
(2020-21 to 2026-27), and a new Central Sector Sub-scheme viz. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan
Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY) (2023-24 to 2026-27). Enhancing fish production, ensuring
sustainability of resources, strengthening of value chain, employment generation, safety &
security of fishers and socio-economic wellbeing of fishers and fish farmers have been the core
of these initiatives.During last five years and current financial year (FY 2026-27) under PMMSY, DoF, GoI has
accorded approvals to the fisheries development proposal of Government of Kerala amounting
to Rs. 1413.91 crore. The approved activities inter-alia include livelihood support to fishers
during fishing ban period, support to traditional fishers for procurement of boats and nets,
establishment of integrated modern coastal fishing villages, establishment of climate resilient
coastal fishing villages, additional and alternate livelihood activities such as bivalve cultivation,
cage culture, ornamental fisheries, fish markets & kiosks, cold chain facilities, live fish vending
centres, need based training and skill development programmes and development of fishing
harbours and marketing facilities etc.
(b) to (e) The Central Government allocates Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO) on a quarterly basis,
but its distribution within a State/UT under the Public Distribution System (PDS) is entirely
managed by the respective State/UT Government. The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
(MoP&NG) being the nodal Ministry on the subject matter has informed that as kerosene is a
polluting fuel and adversely impacts public health, the PDS Kerosene allocation to States/UTs
including Kerala have been rationalized since 2010-11. Till date, 21 States/UTs have become
PDS Kerosene free. Government has formulated a new “PDS Kerosene Allocation Policy” for
the period of 2025-26 to 2027-28 after stakeholders consultation including the Government of
Kerala. As per the said Policy, the allocation is made to States/UTs under single category “PDS
SKO” on quarterly basis for cooking & lighting and for special needs. Further, the State
Governments have been given the liberty to sub-allocate PDS SKO for cooking and lighting or
for special needs (fisheries, mela, exhibitions, pandemic, calamity etc.) based on their specific
requirement. Distribution of PDS SKO within State/UT under PDS network is carried out by
concerned State/UT. Scale and Criteria of distribution is, accordingly, also decided by respective
State/UT.
MoPNG has further informed that under the new policy, the Government of Kerala has been
allocated 22,704 KL PDS SKO for the year 2025-26 as against total allocation of 4,368 KL PDS
SKO for the year 2024-25 which reflects an increase of 419.78 %. During the FY 2025-26 out
of the allocated quantity of 22,704 KL the State uplifted 17,724 KL with a lapse of 4,980 KL.
It is also informed that, in view of the prevailing geo-political situation an adhoc allocation of
1716 KL PDS SKO was also made for cooking and lighting to the State vide MoPNG’s letter
dated 12.03.2026 for upliftment till 30th June 2026. Out of the allocated quantity, the state
uplifted 1512 KL only lapsing 204 KL. Further, an allocation of 4068 KL/quarter has been made
to the State of Kerala for Q1 (April-June, 2026) and Q2 (July-September, 2026), 2026-27.
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