Fishing Ban Period Assistance under Welfare and Relief for Fishermen During Lean Seasons and Natural Calamities Scheme

Fishing Ban Period Assistance under Welfare and Relief for Fishermen During Lean Seasons and Natural Calamities Scheme gives financial support and rice to fishermen families in Puducherry who lose income during fishing ban periods and natural calamities. For the year 2026-27, the Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare has published a circular hosting and inviting objections on the tentative list of beneficiaries for Ban Relief assistance.

This scheme supports fishing families across all four regions of Puducherry, namely Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam. It helps families who lose their livelihood because of natural disasters or mandatory fishing bans, so they keep food security while marine wealth is conserved during breeding seasons.

Fishing Ban Period Assistance under Welfare and Relief for Fishermen During Lean Seasons and Natural Calamities Scheme - Introduction

Fishing Ban Period Assistance under Welfare and Relief for Fishermen During Lean Seasons and Natural Calamities Scheme is a sub-component of the larger welfare scheme made for fishermen in the Union territory of Puducherry. The main aim is to compensate the loss of income that fishing families face when the government imposes a fishing ban or when a natural calamity like cyclone or flood stops fishing work. The assistance is paid through the local Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare department and Fishermen Co-operative Societies.

For 2026-27, the department has already released the tentative list of beneficiaries and invited objections from the public before final payment. This shows the scheme is being implemented on the ground for the current year.

Key Information

Benefits

To support your family throughout the lean period, this scheme provides you with 100 kgs of rice and a cash relief of ₹750 per fisherman family for the duration of the fishing ban. This amount is paid to make up for the income you lose when you cannot go out for fishing during the ban period or a natural calamity.

The assistance is distributed directly in your region by the local implementing officers and Fishermen Co-operative Societies. Field Officers manage the distribution by issuing tokens to eligible fishermen and overseeing the delivery in your village.

Eligibility

To qualify for this assistance, you should meet the following criteria:

1. You should be an ordinary resident of the Union territory of Puducherry.
2. You should be an active fisherman.
3. You should belong to a family classified as Below Poverty Line (BPL).
4. You should not reside in a foreign country during the period of natural calamity or fishing ban.
5. You or any member of your ration cardholder family should not be a government employee or a retired government pensioner.

Note: You remain eligible even if you are an Old Age Pension (OAP) recipient. Also, your ownership of mechanized, motorized, or traditional fishing boats does not disqualify you from receiving these benefits.

Application Process

This is an offline application process. You should follow these steps to apply for the assistance.

STEP 1 - Visit the concerned authority office, such as your local Fishermen Co-operative Federation or the Assistant Director of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare for your region.

STEP 2 - Obtain the prescribed application form directly from them.

STEP 3 - Fill out all required details accurately, attach a recent passport-sized photograph, and make sure all documents are self-attested.

STEP 4 - Submit your completed application form with all necessary documents to the local office.

STEP 5 - Collect a receipt as an acknowledgment of your submission, which should include the date, time, and a unique reference number.

Documents

Please keep the following documents ready for your application:

1. Aadhar Card
2. Copy of the first page of your bank account passbook
3. Red Ration Card issued by the Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Puducherry
4. Identity Card issued by the Director of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare
5. Membership Certificate from your village Fishermen Co-operative Society

References

Circular for Ban Relief assistance 2026-27

Guidelines

Application Form

State Plan Schemes

List of Sub-Offices

Contact Us

FAQ's

What regions does the scheme cover for the distribution of assistance?

Distribution occurs in fishing villages across all four regions: Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam.

Does possession of a red ration card impact eligibility for the scheme?

Yes, your red ration card is a mandatory document used to verify your identity and eligibility for the assistance.

Can applicants residing in any foreign nation during calamities apply for assistance?

No, you must be a resident of the Union territory of Puducherry during the specific time of the fishing ban or calamity to qualify.

What role does the Field Officer play in the distribution process?

Field Officers manage the distribution by issuing tokens to eligible fishermen and overseeing the delivery process in your village.

How is assistance distributed to beneficiaries in different regions?

Local implementing officers and Fishermen Co-operative Societies conduct distributions directly in your respective region.

Are there any additional criteria considered periodically for selecting beneficiaries?

Yes, the Governing Body of the Pondicherry Fishermen Welfare and Distress Relief Society may update selection criteria based on periodic reviews.

Can applicants request a unique identification number during the submission process?

You should request a formal receipt containing a date, time, and unique identification number when you submit your application.

How does the scheme handle membership verification for applicants?

Membership is verified using the certificate you obtain from your local Fishermen Co-operative Society in the Union Territory of Puducherry.

Could you specify the mandatory documents needed for the application?

You will need your Aadhar Card, bank passbook, red ration card, Fishery Department ID, and a valid society membership certificate.

What is the application process for those interested in availing the scheme?

You should obtain the form from your local fishery office, complete it, attach your documents, and submit it for processing.

How does the scheme treat beneficiaries who are recipients of Old Age Pension (OAP)?

Your benefit will not be denied just because you receive an Old Age Pension; the scheme remains inclusive.

What are the eligibility criteria for applicants seeking assistance under this scheme?

You must be a Pondicherry-based fisherman, below the poverty line, and not living abroad during the ban period.