Fishermen urge review of ‘Punargeham’ resettlement scheme, seek better benefits

Despite spending ₹780 crore on coastal development over the past nine years, the State government is yet to resolve the relocation of fishermen in Kozhikode district who continue to live in fear of sea erosion. The ‘Punargeham’ resettlement scheme, meant to support them, is still awaiting revision. Some previously shortlisted beneficiaries alleged that their demand for enhanced financial benefits under the scheme had received no favourable response from either the State or Central government.

According to consolidated data earlier released by the Fisheries department, 2,606 families need to be relocated from vulnerable coastal areas. Of these, fewer than 600 families accepted the existing package, which offers ₹10 lakh per family to purchase three cents of land and construct a 600-sq-ft house. Many found the package inadequate to meet their actual needs.

“Our demand was to ensure at least ₹15 lakh per family to build houses in safer areas. The high cost of land near harbours has made it difficult for many to consider sudden relocation from their current locations,” said a fishermen’s association leader who had earlier raised the issue with people’s representatives and government departments. He also said that the number of members in each eligible family should be considered when finalising the financial package.

However, sources in the Fisheries department said the concerns raised by local fishers had already been communicated to the State government, particularly their lack of interest in the project due to rising land prices and construction costs. They pointed out that the project was initially designed as a support scheme for those who urgently needed relocation due to recurring sea erosion threats.

“A major portion of government funds earmarked for coastal welfare has been spent on developing fishing harbours, coastal roads, and beach beautification projects. At least part of that amount could have been allocated for revising the resettlement scheme,” said K. Irfan, a fisherman from Vellayil. He added that the technicalities surrounding compensation disbursal and the complex rules for land purchase and house construction need to be revisited to make the scheme more appealing to those in need.