CPI(M) MLA Saji Cherian tells House that the “negligence” on the part of the government could push fishing families to poverty during the coming months (file image)
| Photo Credit: K Ragesh
The Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) walked out of the Kerala Legislative Assembly on Tuesday after Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan disallowed its notice for an adjournment motion on the alleged failure of the United Democratic Front (UDF) government to ensure timely disbursal of relief under the Savings Cum Relief Scheme to the fishing community which has been facing hardships due to trawling ban.
Seeking leave of the House for an adjournment debate on the issue, Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] MLA Saji Cherian said that the “negligence” on the part of the government could push fishing families to poverty during the coming months. The aid under the scheme, which was ₹2,700 when the LDF took charge, was increased to ₹4,500 in 2016 and to ₹6,000 later, he said.
Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan said that as many as 1.5 lakh fish workers who are beneficiaries of the scheme have contributed a total beneficiary share of over ₹20 crore for the scheme, with each of them paying ₹1,500. The shares of ₹1,500 each from the State and the Union governments adds to this. The Union government’s disbursal of its share is often delayed. The State government had in the past contributed this share too to ensure timely disbursal for the suffering families.
“The Fisheries Minister has been unable to answer specifically the date of disbursal when a question was raised in the House on June 24. Even today, he said that it has begun in a few districts, but not in others. Also, no steps have been taken for a moratorium on loans taken by fish workers. There is also a concern among the fishing community that the Punargeham housing project will be discontinued. The LDF government completed 2,652 houses and 738 flats under the scheme, while 1,271 houses and 758 flats are under construction. What will happen to the progress of this work now? The (revised) Budget also does not mention the group insurance scheme or the marine ambulance project,” said Mr. Vijayan.
Minister’s response
Fisheries Minister V. E. Abdul Gafoor said that the disbursal of the first instalment under the scheme has been completed in three districts, while the process has begun in the other districts. For the next instalment, a request has been submitted to the Union government. Orders have also been issued for free rations to the fish worker families, eh said.
Regarding Mr. Cherian’s remark that the LDF government had increased the aid under the scheme to ₹6,000, he said the hike was made only towards the end of its term.
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said that the State Budget this year has a fisheries sub-plan to ensure that the reduction in Plan spending does not affect the fishing community. “The LDF government had made negligible spending under the package of ₹5,000 crore for coastal areas in 2016 and the ₹2,000 Ockhi package. The UDF government also increased the kerosene subsidy to ₹75 from ₹50 as soon as it took charge,” he pointed out.
He said the entire amount under the Savings Cum Relief Scheme is “usually not disbursed in June.”
Published – June 30, 2026 12:15 pm IST