Relief for 1.3 lakh fishermen families during fishing ban period

Hundreds of fishermen reached the residence of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu at Undavalli in nearly 100 boats to thank the state government for releasing funds under the Matsyakara Bharosa welfare scheme

Metro India News | Tummalapenta

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday released over Rs 262 crore under 'Matsyakarula Sevalo' (in the service of fishermen) scheme to provide relief for over 1.3 lakh fishermen families across the state during the annual fishing ban period.

Addressing a public meeting here in Nellore district, the chief minister said the government extended financial assistance of Rs 20,000 to each fisherman's family to help them during the annual fishing ban from April 15 to June 15. The fishing ban is imposed to facilitate breeding.

"Rs 261.5 crore has been allocated to provide relief to 1.3 lakh fishermen families during the fishing ban period," a release quoted CM as saying.

Naidu also noted that the government has provided financial assistance to the tune of Rs 505 crore to the fishermen's families during the ban period over the last two years. The chief minister further said that the government has taken measures to support the families of fishermen who lose their lives in accidents while fishing.

He noted that Rs 3.1 crore was released towards 63 insurance claims during 2024-25, while Rs 5.6 crore was disbursed towards 113 pending claims during 2025-26.

Fishermen advised to take up seaweed cultivation

CM Naidu observed that the government is promoting seaweed cultivation to improve the livelihood of fishermen. He also announced infrastructure projects, sea surveillance measures and welfare initiatives aimed at strengthening fishermen's livelihood and coastal development. Naidu said the government is encouraging fishermen to adopt modern technologies and take up seaweed cultivation to generate additional income.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu visited the Joint Action Task Force for Sea Patrolling centre monitoring the Nellore coastline. The task force, comprising Marine Police, Fisheries, Forest officials and local fishermen, works to prevent intrusion by fishing boats from neighbouring states.

Naidu directed officials to use satellite imagery and reviewed drone-based surveillance systems that issue warning alerts in Telugu, Tamil and other languages to boats entering Andhra Pradesh waters. He also examined GPS tracking systems designed to alert fishermen nearing international waters.

The Chief Minister said Andhra Pradesh expects investments worth Rs 23 lakh crore, generating nearly 24 lakh jobs. He noted that sectors such as defence, drones, aerospace, electronics and space are being promoted in Rayalaseema. Naidu said the Sagar Defence company project would provide jobs only to local people. He also announced development of Thummalapenta village in Kavali constituency as a model village.

Babu shares meal with fisherman’s family

The CM N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday shared a meal with a fisherman’s family at Thummalapenta village in Kavali mandal of SPSR Nellore district. His visit was part of government’s Matsyakaarula Sevalo outreach programme. He also interacted with local fishermen and women vendors at the village fish market, where he personally purchased fresh fish from traders. Carrying the fish he had purchased at the market, the Chief Minister reached the fisherman’s house, where Babu’s wife Venkamma prepared a traditional fish curry.