Technology Transfer & Commercialization Support Scheme 2026

This scheme helps fisherwomen in Puducherry by providing a 75% subsidy to purchase a mobile seafood van, Read More... making fresh fish accessible in areas without regular markets. Read less

Details

The Government of Puducherry is supporting its fisherwomen with a special scheme to boost their livelihoods and make fresh seafood easily available. The 'Grant of Subsidy for Purchase of Mobile Sea Food Van' scheme, launched in 2010, is designed to help women involved in fishing start their own mobile seafood businesses.

What Is This Scheme?

This initiative, part of the 'Puducherry Development of Shore Based Facilities...' rules, helps women, self-help groups (SHGs), and cooperative societies get a mobile van. This van can be used to sell fresh and processed fish and seafood products. The idea is to reach areas where people don't easily have access to fish markets, ensuring everyone gets quality products at fair prices.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

The scheme is primarily for individuals and groups from the fishing community residing in Puducherry. This includes registered fisherwomen cooperative societies, self-help groups (SHGs) registered with local development agencies, and individual fisherwomen who meet the set criteria.

Why This Scheme Is Important

By providing a mobile platform, the scheme empowers fisherwomen to expand their reach and increase sales. It also ensures that the public in underserved areas can buy hygienic and affordable seafood. The subsidy significantly reduces the initial investment needed, making it easier for women to enter the business.

Objective

This scheme helps fisherwomen in Puducherry by providing a 75% subsidy to purchase a mobile seafood van, making fresh fish accessible in areas without regular markets.

Benefits

This scheme intends to support Technology License/Transfer Startups by providing funding support of a maximum of ₹10 Lakhs in the form of reimbursement for the startups, who have paid to the Research Institution.
The support is limited to 90% of the technology fee to be paid to the Research entity.

Sources and references

Official Website

Eligibility Criteria

You must belong to a fishing community.
You need to be a resident of Puducherry, either by birth or domicile.
You should be a member of your local Primary Fisheries Co-operative Society and not have any overdue payments.
Your age should be between 18 and 50 years.
You should not be employed full-time or part-time by the Government or any Government undertaking or society.
Fisherwomen Co-operative Societies must be registered in Puducherry.
Self-help groups (SHGs) must be registered with the District Rural Development Agency or Puducherry Urban Development Agency.

How To Apply

The Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare will conduct a field enquiry to shortlist eligible applicants.
Shortlisted applicants' details will be sent to a nationalized bank for loan processing.
Once the bank provides a letter of intent for the loan, the subsidy will be released to the beneficiary's account in the bank.
The subsidy portion will be used to offset the loan amount for purchasing the mobile seafood van.
For more details or to apply, you can contact the Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, Government of Puducherry. The official website is likely to have further information or application forms.

Documents Required

Aadhaar Card
Proof of Age (e.g., Birth Certificate)
Residential Certificate of Puducherry
Copy of Food Sharing Card
Voter ID Card
Caste Certificate
Registration Certificate of your Cooperative Society or SHG
Proof of Membership with your Cooperative Society or SHG
Price quotations for equipment used for fish preparation
Certificates showing you have completed training on fish product preparation
Proof of your experience in preparing fish products

FAQ’s

What is the maximum age to apply for this scheme?

You must be between 18 and 50 years old to be eligible for this subsidy scheme. There are no exceptions for those outside this age bracket.

Can an SHG that isn't part of a registered Cooperative apply?

Yes, a fisherwoman self-help group can apply directly if it's registered with either the District Rural Development Agency or the Puducherry Urban Development Agency.

How does the scheme help make fish affordable for everyone?

The scheme encourages the use of mobile vans for selling fresh and processed fish, aiming to offer hygienic products at competitive prices to the public, especially in areas where regular markets are not available.

Is there a way to apply if I'm older or younger than the specified age limit?

No, the scheme strictly requires applicants to be between 18 and 50 years old. There are no provisions for extending or waiving this age requirement.

What is the role of the Joint Director of Fisheries in managing the funds?

The Joint Director of Fisheries, along with regional officials and the concerned bank, is responsible for using the funds from the beneficiary's account to purchase the mobile sea food van and its equipment.

Do I need any special training to apply?

Yes, as part of your application, you will need to submit certificates that prove you have received training in preparing fish products.

How does this scheme help people who live far from fish markets?

The scheme provides mobile seafood vans, allowing fisherwomen to travel and sell fresh and processed fish directly in areas that lack regular markets, thus increasing accessibility.

Can the subsidy money be used for something else, like personal expenses?

No, the subsidy is exclusively meant for covering 75% of the cost of the mobile seafood van and its essential equipment.

Who checks the applications before they go to the bank, and what do they look for?

A Departmental Selection Committee, composed of officials from various regions, reviews applications. They conduct field enquiries to verify eligibility and then forward the shortlisted applications to a nationalized bank.

Can a Fisherwomen Co-operative Society registered in another state apply?

No, only Fisherwomen Co-operative Societies that are officially registered within the Union territory of Puducherry are eligible to apply.

How does the subsidy and bank loan work together?

Once the bank confirms a loan for the van, the subsidy amount is sent to the beneficiary's bank account. This subsidy then helps cover a part of the loan repayment, reducing the beneficiary's financial burden.

What documents are needed to prove I'm from a fishing background?

To confirm your background and eligibility, you'll need documents like proof of community, membership in a cooperative/SHG, and potentially certificates related to fishing or fish product preparation experience.