₹165 crore spent on welfare of fisherfolk in 2024-25, says Fisheries Minister

The State government spent ₹165 crore on the welfare of fisherfolk during 2024-25, Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian has said.

He was inaugurating the distribution of educational and sports awards instituted by the Kerala Fishermen’s Welfare Fund Board in Alappuzha on Saturday.

Mr. Cherian said the children of fishers had achieved milestones in the field of education. “Over the past five years, the State government has spent ₹53.52 crore under the Vidyakiranam scheme. Thousands of students from the fishing community have gained admission to medical, engineering, and other related courses. During the first Pinarayi Vijayan government, 97 students from the fishing community secured admission to the MBBS course. This year too, the government provided free medical, engineering, and entrance coaching classes. A total of 26 students secured admission to MBBS,” the Minister said.

He said that as part of overseas education initiatives, the government has been sending two students from the fishing community to Europe for higher studies for free. “Seventy-five libraries in coastal areas have been transformed into centres of excellence, with facilities including online learning. Of the 10 technical schools in the State, four have been upgraded to high-standard smart schools. The remaining six schools will be converted into smart schools this year, for which the government has set aside ₹15 crore,” Mr. Cherian said.

At the function, awards were distributed to 222 students who secured A+ in all subjects in the SSLC examination, 83 students who received nine A+ grades, 75 students with eight A+ grades, and 60 students who achieved A+ in all subjects in the Plus Two examination. Besides, seven students who excelled in sports were also honoured. P.P. Chitharanjan, MLA, presided.