The Department of Fisheries has announced the allotment of funds for a host of schemes, including a socio-economic survey for fisherfolk and development programmes for fisheries institutes.
“The decision in this regard was made at a high-level meeting held in Thiruvananthapuram the other day,” Fisheries Minister K Babu said.
The Minister said that Rs 17. 5 lakh would be allotted for conducting a socio-economic survey of the fisherfolk in the state. “The survey is aimed to understand the socio-economic status of the fishing community. The available data is not authentic and the lack of socio-economic data often creates a problem while formulating effective welfare projects,” the Minister said.
A survey in this regard was conducted in 2004-05. The current survey will cover health and property, as well as the educational, financial and cultural standards of the fishermen and their family members.
The National Institute of Fisheries Administration and Management (NIFAM) at Kodungalloor will be provided Rs 2.94 lakh for setting up a bio-gas plant. “It has been found that four kilograms of bio gas can be produced by processing about 30 kilograms of bio waste per day,” the Minister said.
An assistance of `90 lakh for the renovation of the hostel block of the Fisheries Technical High School at Azheekal and Rs 21.50 lakh for networking of the fisheries offices have been allotted.