Sri Vijaya Puram, October 17: The Centre has extended the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) until December 31, 2026, or until the competent authority approves the schemes for the 16th Finance Commission cycle, whichever comes first. The extension allows the existing schemes to continue, but prohibits fresh approvals for works under the 15th Finance Commission period outlay.
The Department of Fisheries, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, conveyed the administrative approval on October 8. The decision follows approval from the Department of Expenditure in the Ministry of Finance and sets spending limits for both schemes during the extended period.
For the 2026–27 financial year, the Centre has allocated ₹2,500 crore for PMMSY, with a utilisation limit of ₹1,875 crore up to December 31. FIDF has a budget allocation of ₹30 crore, of which spending is capped at ₹22.50 crore during the same period. These are central allocations for the respective schemes and do not represent separate allocations for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The extension comes with financial and implementation conditions. While authorities may clear payments against liabilities already committed during the 15th Finance Commission period, they cannot approve or sanction fresh works against that period’s outlay. Both schemes must retain their existing scope, structure, coverage, cost norms and other operational conditions.
The Department of Fisheries has also been directed to keep expenditure within the approved budget allocation for 2026–27. Spending during the extended period will be subsumed within the approved outlay of the continuing schemes under the 16th Finance Commission cycle. For the centrally sponsored PMMSY, the ministry must ensure that all applicable states are onboarded under the SNA-SPARSH system by October 15, 2026.
S. U. Maheswar Rao, chairman of the Andaman and Nicobar Fisheries Cooperative Federation Ltd. (ANIFCOFED), welcomed the extension and thanked the Union government, the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister and the Union Fisheries Minister for the decision.
Rao said the continuation of PMMSY could help sustain fisheries development initiatives, support fishermen’s welfare, strengthen cooperatives and advance infrastructure development in the islands. He also highlighted FIDF’s relevance to fisheries infrastructure, including fish landing and marketing facilities.
ANIFCOFED said continued implementation could benefit fishermen, fish vendors, fish farmers and fisheries cooperative societies across the islands. The federation called on the concerned authorities to implement the schemes effectively and help eligible beneficiaries access available support.
Rao reiterated the federation’s commitment to working with the Union government and the Andaman and Nicobar Administration to strengthen the fisheries sector and improve livelihoods in the fishing community. The extension, however, remains subject to the prescribed financial conditions and the approval timeline for the next Finance Commission cycle.
