Chandigarh, January 14: Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Fisheries Minister Shyam Singh Rana on Tuesday directed officials to prepare a concrete action plan to provide fish farmers with markets near their locations so that they do not have to travel to distant areas to sell their produce.
The minister was chairing a pre-budget consultation meeting with senior officials of the Fisheries Department at his office here. Additional Chief Secretary of the department, Raja Shekhar Vundru, along with other senior officers, was present during the meeting.
During the discussion, the Fisheries Minister sought details regarding the utilization of the budget allocated to the department in the previous financial year and directed officials to prepare a roadmap for seeking funds for various schemes in the upcoming budget.
Shyam Singh Rana said that all schemes should be implemented at a fast pace, keeping in view Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Developed India 2047. He also instructed officials to prioritize the installation of solar lights at ponds developed for fisheries, stating that this would not only reduce electricity expenses but also help in lowering pollution.
In the meeting, officials informed that to promote white shrimp farming in saline water, an Integrated Aqua Park Centre of Excellence is being developed at a cost of ₹98.90 crore in village Garwa of Bhiwani district and in Sirsa district. They further said that under the Welfare of Scheduled Caste Families under Fisheries Sector scheme, fishers and fish farmers are being provided a subsidy of 60 percent on net purchases, up to a maximum cost of ₹40,000.
The Fisheries Minister directed officials to ensure that all welfare schemes formulated for the benefit of fish farmers are implemented at the earliest so that their income levels can improve further.
