Keralam She Scooter Scheme

Kerala She Scooter Scheme: A Subsidised Electric Scooter for Fisherwomen

Women who sell fish in Kerala’s coastal villages often start work before dawn. They carry heavy baskets on buses and walk long distances to reach customers, and their reach is limited to routes that public transport covers. The Kerala She Scooter Scheme aims to change that by helping fisherwomen buy an electric scooter of their own. It was announced in the state Budget and is run by the Society for Assistance to Fisherwomen (SAF), under the Fisheries Department, Government of Kerala.

The most important fact: applications have closed

The last date to apply for the 2026-27 round was 7 August 2026. That has passed, and the application form is currently not available. The scheme has moved to implementation, with the first phase of distribution in October 2026, covering 100 electric scooters for fisherwomen engaged in fish vending and eligible SAF beneficiaries. If you did not apply, the practical step is to keep in touch with SAF, since the source does not say whether a further round will open. Do not assume one will.

What the scheme offers

1. A grant of 75% of the cost of an electric scooter, up to a maximum of ₹1 lakh per beneficiary
2. The beneficiary pays the remaining share herself
3. The grant is outright, so it is not a loan, with no repayment and no interest

So the 25% share is not always the same amount in rupees, since it depends on the price of the scooter. Also, if a scooter costs more than ₹1.33 lakh, the ₹1 lakh cap means the beneficiary pays more than 25%. The source lists the question of whether the share is always 25% and the question of which scooter model is supplied but does not answer either, so ask SAF about both.

Why an electric scooter helps

An electric scooter cuts daily running costs compared with a petrol two-wheeler, and it gives a fisherwoman independent transport, so she can carry fish, reach a wider market and sell on her own terms.

Who was eligible

The scheme has two categories.

New beneficiaries:

1. A woman from a fisherfolk family registered in the Fisherfolk Family Register (FFR)
2. A permanent resident of a fishing village in Kerala
3. Engaged in fish vending
4. Aged up to 45 years
5. Passed Class 10, with preference for higher qualifications
6. Holding a valid two-wheeler driving licence
7. Not owning a two-wheeler
8. Willing to pay the prescribed beneficiary share

SAF Activity Group beneficiaries:

1. The activity group must have been functioning satisfactorily for at least 5 years and have 2 members.
2. The group nominates the member who will take the scooter on its behalf, and the group pays the beneficiary share.
3. The applicant must be the wife, unmarried daughter or allied worker of an active fisherman.
4. The age limit is 50 years.

For both categories, the family must not have previously received financial assistance from the Fisheries Department or under any SAF scheme.

Documents that were needed

SAF did not publish a full checklist, so applicants followed the form. The supporting items included FFR details, proof of residence in a fishing village, a valid two-wheeler driving licence, a Class 10 certificate and any higher qualifications, a short written description of the applicant’s current enterprise, SAF activity group details where applicable, proof of relationship or worker status with an active fisherman, and a self-declaration of non-ownership of a two-wheeler.

How the application worked

The application was offline. Women collected the form from the District Fisheries Office, the Matsyabhavan office or the SAF office, or downloaded it from the SAF website. SAF issued two forms, one for new beneficiaries and one for activity groups, so choosing the right one was important. Applicants completed the form, attached a short description of their enterprise and the supporting documents, and submitted it before the deadline. SAF verified the applications and published a list of selected beneficiaries. Selected women then paid their share, after which the grant was released and the scooter handed over.

If you applied

Watch for the list of selected beneficiaries through SAF and your district office, and be ready to pay your share promptly once selected. If you are not sure whether your application was received, call SAF.

If you did not apply

1. Contact SAF and your district Matsyabhavan office to ask whether a second phase or a new round is planned.
2. Keep your documents ready, especially your FFR details, driving licence and Class 10 certificate. If you do not yet have a two-wheeler licence, getting one is a sensible step.
3. Look at the other state schemes the source mentions. The Keralam Dakshayani Self-Entrepreneurship Assistance Scheme supports women’s self-employment, and the Keralam Free KSRTC Bus Travel Scheme for Women covers bus travel.

Where to get help

1. SAF phone: 0484-2607643 and 0484-2964238
2. SAF email: saf4help@yahoo.com and saf4help@gmail.com