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.

 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 30^th 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.

This information was given by Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh in the Lok Sabha in response to a question asked.

JP

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