Madras High Court Seeks State's Response On Plea For Increasing Compensation To Fishermen During Fishing-Ban Period

The bench of Justice N Sathish Kumar and Justice M Jothiraman asked the State to respond to a plea filed by Thirumurugan, an Advocate from Ramanathapuram and State Coordinator of Fishermen Wing (Meenavar Pasarai) of Naam Tamilar Katchi party.

It may be noted that in its election manifesto, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, which ultimately formed government in Tamil Nadu, had promised to provide Rs 20,000 per month financial support to the fishermen during the annual fishing ban.

The petitioner, who himself belonged to a traditional fishermen family, submitted that every year the Government of Tamil Nadu imposed a 61-day fishing ban from April 15 to June 14, to protect marine resources and facilitate breeding and spawning of fish species in the interest of ecological balance and long-term sustainability of marine wealth.

The petitioner submitted that during this period, thousands of fishermen families, which depend upon deep-sea fishing activities, are deprived of their livelihoods and are entitled to adequate fishing ban compensation.

The petitioner pointed out that the fishermen community was entirely dependent upon the sea and the coastal occupation, and often were not accustomed to alternate employment. Thus, the petitioner argued that the fishing ban period creates several financial hardships, indebtedness, food insecurity and social distress.

He argued that at present, the Government was only providing Rs 8000 for the entire 61 days of ban, which was grossly insufficient and arbitrary considering the cost of living and inflation. He argued that non-revision of the relief amount was violative of their fundamental rights under Article 14 and 21 of the Constitution.

The petitioner also pointed out that states like Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Goa were providing enhanced compensation and welfare support to the affected fishermen families, and a similar approach had to be taken in Tamil Nadu also.

Pointing to the election manifesto of the TVK party, the petitioner submitted that a legitimate expectation was created that adequate livelihood support would be provided during the statutory fishing ban. However, despite assuming office, the government continued to provide only Rs 8000.

Thus, the petitioner had approached the court seeking direction to the Principal Secretary to Government (Home Department) and Principal Secretary to Government (Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare Department) to enhance the fishing ban period relief compensation payable to marine fishermen in Tamil Nadu during the annual statutory fishing ban periods including the East Coast Fishing ban period from 15.04.2026 to 14.06.2026 and the west coast fishing ban period applicable to Arabian Sea coastal fisherman of Kanyakumari District from 01.06.2026 to 31.07.2026

Case Title: Thirumurugan v The Principal Secretary to Government and others

Case No: WP (MD) 15180 of 2026