(1) Every State Government shall, by notification, constitute a welfare fund at district level, for allocation of such fund to assist the non-mechanically propelled inland vessels enrolled under this Chapter.
    (2) Any officer appointed or authorised under this Chapter to be in-charge of the fund for the nonmechanically propelled inland vessel shall, with the previous approval in writing of the respective State Government or such other authority appointed for the said purpose, utilise the fund to—
        (a) create awareness and conduct knowledge dissemination sessions for educating the owner, operator and service user on improvements required for safe navigation;
        (b) provide equipment and devices of safety and navigation at a subsidised rate;
        (c) provide support or relief during casualties, accidents or such emergencies; and
        (d) for such other purposes as it may deem fit.