Fish farming promoted in state

State’s development through welfare of all sections, CM Shri Chouhan at state-level Machhuara Diwas function

Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that fish farming has been promoted in the state. Machhua Kalyan Board has been constituted to chalk out welfare schemes for fishermen. All have right over resources. Public welfare schemes are being chalked out in the state keeping this in view. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan was addressing a function to mark state-level Machhuara Diwas here today.

Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that efforts have been made in the state to uplift living standard of the poor and weaker sections. Better arrangements for water, power and roads have been made. Now, 24X7 power is being supplied to villages. Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana has been launched to provide one month’s ration in one day’s wage to BPL people. Rajya Beemari Sahayata Nidhi has been constituted for their treatment. Fishermen are being provided loans at zero percent interest rate. Subsidy scheme has been launched for fishermen to purchase boats and fishing nets. He said that fishermen should educate their children and engage them in better occupations.

Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Minister Shri Ajay Vishnoi said that fisheries sector has also contributed significantly in achieving historic agriculture growth rate in the state. Now, Madhya Pradesh is self-dependent in fish seeds’ production. Fishermen are being provided 80 percent subsidy on purchase of boats, nets and fish seeds. Over 500 houses have been constructed for them. Their children are being provided Rs. 100 per month education incentive. Fishermen’s cooperative societies are being provided upto Rs. 50 lakh financial assistance.

At the outset, Principal Secretary Fisheries Sushri Saleena Singh threw light on departmental activities. She informed that fish farming has increased by 13.09 percent during last year. Fish production has gone up by 15 percent. State is pioneer in fishermen’s insurance scheme.

At the programme, Chief Minister Shri Chouhan awarded fishermen for best performances. He released magazine containing fisheries action plan and inspected an exhibition put up on the occasion. Members of Fishermen Cooperative Societies felicitated the Chief Minister with shawl and coconut. Fishermen’s Welfare Board Chairman Shri Moti Kashyap, Vice-Chairmen Dr. Kailash Vinay and Shri Sitaram Batham, Agricultural Production Commissioner Shri M.M. Upadhyay were also present on the occasion. The programme was held by Madhya Pradesh Fisheries Federation and Fisheries Department.