Thiruvananthapuram: In the backdrop of Cyclone Ockhi, the Kerala government is likely to announce a special package for the fisheries sector in the state budget.
This will be on top of the cyclone relief package that the government had earlier announced.
Finance minister T M Thomas Isaac is also set to increase the total outlay towards the fisheries sector in his budget, to be presented on February 2.
Last year, he had allocated Rs 408 crore to the coastal region.
The first preference will be towards the safety of fishermen and development of basic infrastructure.
There are indications that the budget will allocate funds to acquire three marine ambulances.
The cost of one such ambulance with ICU facility is about Rs 8 crore.
The finance department had on Thursday gave its clearance to purchase one marine ambulance.
The budget is likely to provide funds to the Coast Guard to induct more boats, as well as to buy equipment to alert fishermen about dangers.
It is likely to announce a special scheme to support the studies of the children of fishermen killed in Cyclone Ockhi.
A skill development program and a housing scheme for the fisherfolks are also on the cards.
Meanwhile, there is strong demand to implement a loan relief scheme.
