District Collector R V Karnan said the government had sanctioned Rs 22 crore towards the development of marine wealth for the year 2017-18. He was addressing an awareness programme on fisheries, held at FCA Function Hall here on Saturday. He said the State government is encouraging caste based vocations. The government has been taking several welfare measures for fisheries development through Integrated Fisheries Development Programme. It is providing support for fishing community for selling their produce directly without intervention of middle men. As many as 100 members from fisheries societies have been recommended as beneficiaries for motor vehicles and autorickshaws, he added. District Fisheries Department Official Satyanarayana, District Cooperative Officer Sanjeeva Reddy, ZPTC member Aasha Latha, district irrigation officer, fisheries societies director, vice-president, members of Primary fisheries cooperative societies and others were present.