Thiruvananthapuram | The Keralam government is formulating a special scheme to provide homes to all homeless fisherfolk in the state.

Announcing the programme here, Chief Minister V D Satheesan said the government aimed to empower women fisherfolk to earn an independent income and achieve financial security and was implementing various schemes for their self-reliance.

"Every homeless fisherfolk family in the state will be provided a house, and a special housing scheme will be formulated for this purpose," he said after inaugurating the distribution of electric scooters to women fish vendors and a meeting of women fisher entrepreneurs organised by the Society for Assistance to Fisherwomen (SAF) here on Monday.

The programme was organised under the Fisheries Department as part of the state government's 100-day action programme.

Under the 'She Scooter' scheme announced in the state Budget, women engaged in fish vending are being provided electric scooters with a 75 per cent subsidy, subject to a maximum of Rs one lakh.

Providing scooters to women who travel by bus and other public transport carrying baskets of fish would help improve their quality of life, the Chief Minister said.

The government aimed to develop Keralam's 600-km coastline into a major port city and would ensure reservation of jobs for youngsters from local fisher families at ports, including Vizhinjam, he said.

The government was committed to resolving the difficulties faced by coastal residents and creating more employment opportunities, Satheesan added.

Meanwhile, Fisheries and Social Justice Minister V E Abdul Gafoor said the number of existing SAF units being run by women fisherfolk would be increased from 1,800 to 3,000 to promote entrepreneurship and improve their standard of living.

SAF, which has an annual turnover of Rs 157 crore, provides Rs 41 crore to its members as wages and profit shares, the minister said.

He said 100 scooters sanctioned in the first phase of the 'She Scooter' scheme were being distributed initially and assured that such schemes benefiting women fisherfolk would continue.