JAMMU, MARCH 2- The government is spending Rs 14.13 crore for Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries- the funds sanctioned for Jammu and Kashmir for the current fiscal year under Blue Revolution.
Last year the department earned Rs 2.60 crore against sale of Trout Fish and as also realized revenue of Rs 80 lakh from Aquarium in Bhag-e-Bahu Jammu.
This information was given in a meeting chaired by the Minister of State for Forest, Environment, Fisheries, Animal & Sheep Husbandry and Cooperatives, Mir Zahoor Ahmad convened here today to review the progress of works taken under Blue Revolution Scheme 2016-2017 and the proposals for the year 2017-18.
Detailed discussions were held on various issues including National Scheme for Welfare of Fishermen, renovation of flood damaged ponds and low cost Re-circulatory Aquaculture System (RAS) scheme.
It was given out that due to last summer unrest in the Valley against the target of 85 tons, 40 tons of Trout Fish were sold. However, the department expects the sale of more 10 tones in the month of March 2017. It was also informed in the meeting that four quintals of Trout Fish were sold on the occasion of Mahashivratri.
It was further given out in the meeting that Fish Seed Hatcheries are presently functional in three buildings at Kokernag and have produced 15 lakh fisher lings of Trout during the current year so far and there is no problem of seed for next five years.
It was also given out that the department has own Feed Mill and feed is being supplied to the Private Fish Unit holders also. It was informed that there was no need of establishing Feed Mill in the State for next five years.
The meeting was informed that Fish Seed Hatcheries for Indian Major Carps and Fresh Water Mahseer Brood Bank are also being established in the state. “The tenders for construction of two Fish Seed Hatcheries and Fresh Water Mahseer Brood Bank have been floated and the work would be started soon after the process is completed” the meeting was told.
Construction of 67 new Fresh Water Ponds and Tanks were sanctioned for this year of which work on 50 Ponds is apace, the officials said adding the department has also started renovation work of 200 existing Ponds at an estimated cost of Rs1.05 crore. It was informed that the work on these projects, sanctioned under Blue Revolution, is in full swing.
For strengthening Post-Harvest Infrastructure and transportation, it was informed in the meeting that 20 Units are proposed for providing Auto Rickshaw with Ice Box at a Unit cost of Rs 2 lakh each and 1200 Units for providing of Bicycles with Ice Box at the rate of Rs 3000 per Unit.
Addressing the meeting, the Minister asked the officers to work with utmost dedication, honesty and achieve the targets in full. He also asked them to ensure that the schemes should reach to the deserving persons well in time.
He further instructed the concerned to maintain proper record of all requisite documents like registration of Fishermen Licenses and other documents required for getting benefits of the schemes launched by the Government for the welfare of the Fishermen.
Mir Zahoor reviews status of ‘Blue Revolution’ scheme Rs 14.13 being spent on integrated development of fisheries Kokernag hatcheries produce 15 lakh Trout fisher lings
