New Delhi : The Department of Fisheries, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, has been implementing the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) since the financial year 2018-19, with a total fund size of Rs. 7522.48 crore.
FIDF aims to provide concessional finance for the development of fisheries infrastructure across the country. Eligible entities, including state governments, union territories, and state agencies, can access these funds at an interest rate not lower than 5% per annum, with an interest subvention of up to 3% provided by the Department of Fisheries.
Under this initiative, Tamil Nadu has received approvals for 64 fisheries infrastructure projects, amounting to a total outlay of Rs. 1574.73 crore, with the project cost eligible for interest subvention capped at Rs. 1336.73 crore. The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), the Nodal Loaning Entity (NLE) for state-implemented projects, has sanctioned Rs. 1314.73 crore to the Tamil Nadu government. Of this, Rs. 956.05 crore has already been disbursed for project implementation.
According to the Tamil Nadu government, 47 projects have been completed, while 16 are currently under progress, and one project is yet to commence. The Central Approval and Monitoring Committee (CAMC) of FIDF regularly oversees the progress of these projects. Additionally, the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), as the Nodal Implementing Agency (NIA), conducts field inspections and desk studies to ensure timely completion.
The Department of Fisheries also periodically reviews project progress to facilitate efficient implementation. This update was provided by Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri George Kurian, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on April 2, 2025.
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