House panel criticises Union government’s flagship welfare support for fisherfolk
The panel said only about 2.1% of the estimated 28 million fisherfolk received assistance during the annual fishing ban between 2020 and 2025
A parliamentary committee has expressed deep concern over the Union government's flagship welfare support for traditional fisherfolk, noting that only 2.1% of India's estimated 28 million fishers received financial assistance during the annual fishing ban between 2020 and 2025. The Standing Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Food Processing criticized the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) for its "dismally low" performance in cushioning income loss during the ban, despite being intended for this purpose.
The committee recommended increasing financial assistance to at least ₹10,000 per fisher per year and urged immediate measures to expand the scheme's reach, citing the slow pace of investment in fisheries infrastructure and the significant gap between existing facilities and the number of active vessels operating in the country.
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