SRINAGAR: The Union Government has released over Rs 118 crore to Jammu and Kashmir under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) during the last five financial years to support fisheries and aquaculture development, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.
Replying to an Unstarred Question in the House, Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh said the Department of Fisheries has been extending financial assistance to states and Union Territories for strengthening fish production, infrastructure, capacity building and welfare of fisherfolk under the centrally sponsored scheme.
As per official data tabled in Parliament, Jammu and Kashmir received central funds amounting to Rs 11,850.39 lakh between 2020-21 and 2024-25. The year-wise release included Rs 5,006.63 lakh in 2020-21, Rs 1,364.20 lakh in 2021-22, Rs 2,020 lakh in 2022-23, Rs 1,219.73 lakh in 2023-24, and Rs 2,239.83 lakh in 2024-25.
The assistance forms part of a broader national allocation under PMMSY, under which fisheries and aquaculture development proposals worth Rs 18,397.37 crore have been approved across the country during the last four financial years from 2021-22 to 2024-25, with a central share of Rs 8,124.84 crore.
Out of the total approved allocation, Rs 4,977.28 crore has been released to states, Union Territories and implementing agencies. The government said the scheme includes targeted support for vulnerable and marginalised groups, with Rs 553.40 crore earmarked for Scheduled Caste beneficiaries and Rs 519.21 crore for Scheduled Tribe beneficiaries nationally.
In addition, fisheries development proposals with a central outlay of Rs 1,302.20 crore have been sanctioned to cover 95,426 women beneficiaries across states and UTs over the last four years.
The Minister said assistance under PMMSY is provided in multiple forms, including direct financial support, input subsidies, infrastructure creation, training programmes, group-based support and other capacity-building measures aimed at improving livelihoods of fisherfolk.
Jammu and Kashmir, which has an expanding inland fisheries sector based on rivers, lakes and trout farming, is among the beneficiaries of the scheme. Officials said the funds are intended to boost aquaculture productivity, strengthen cold chain and marketing infrastructure, and enhance income opportunities for local fishing communities.
The government reiterated that PMMSY seeks to promote sustainable fisheries development, modernise the sector and improve socio-economic conditions of fisherfolk through targeted investments and institutional support across the country, including Union Territories such as Jammu and Kashmir.
