The fishermen community from the state has demanded a fair share in the central and state budget allocations in the wake of Ockhi cyclone that lashed coastal Kerala. National Fish Workers Forum (NFWF) general secretary T Peter has sought the Centre and state governments to give priority to protection of fishermen at sea and increase the allocation for the welfare of fisherfolk. To support the traditional fishermen community and their livelihood options, the forum demanded that rehabilitation grant and subsidies should be offered to fishers to buy fuel (kerosene, diesel and petrol) to operate their vessels. It was also demanded that the debt relief commission, constituted in Kerala in 2008 to offer relief to the fishermen, to be continued this year. “Every year the budget allocation is spent for the commission officials’ salary, office expenditure, travel expenses, etc. Before this commission’s tenure ends this year, it should offer relief to debt-ridden fisherfolk,” the forum members demanded. NFWF national meet will be held for two days, starting on February 3, in Odisha. It will conclude with a massive rally of fishermen from all coastal states in the country. In the state budget 2017, a total outlay of Rs 408 crore was earmarked for fisheries sector, and for coastal area development the amount was increased to Rs 586 crore. Specifically, Rs 49 crore has been provided for inland fisheries sector and Rs 150 crore was earmarked for rehabilitation of fishermen. Now, while seeking an increase in outlay, the fishermen also sought the government to ensure that the relief reached the deserving people in the state .