Minister for Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries, Abdul Gani Kohli today said the government is in process of giving boost to the fish production in the state to uplift the rural economy besides creating job avenues for the unemployed youth.Minister said this while inaugurating Kissan Mela cum Exhibition at Ghoumanhassan in Jammu under “Support to State Extension Programme for Extension Reforms”.Legislator Sat Sharma, Commissioner Secretary Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries RK Bhagat, Director Fisheries RP Singh Bali and other senior officers of the department were present on the occasion.Speaking on the occasion, Minister said the department is in the process of introducing various new initiatives aimed at making these sectors viable and profitable.He said the department has established 1037 carp units and 513 trout units during past two years under Blue Revolution /RKVY scheme and the assistance of Rs 1 lakh for establishing carp unit while Rs 3.60 lakh is being provided for establishing trout unit including the assistance for construction and input cost for feed and seed.
Kohli said the Blue Revolution Scheme (Neel Kranti Mission) is a five year mission launched by the Centre last year with an outlay of Rs 3000 crore bringing all the existing centrally sponsored schemes of Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries under one umbrella with suitable convergence with other schemes like Sagarmala Project, MGNREGA, RKVY, NRLM etc.The Minister said under the said scheme, the department also provides Auto-Rikshaws and Bicycle with Ice Box for beneficiaries engaged in the profession to ease the work of beneficiaries during sale of the fish. He said 1016 bicycles and 20 auto Rikshaws have also been provided to the fishermen to help uplift their business.He said the total consumption of Fish in the state is 20,000 Metric tons and out of which 20-30 percent is imported. He said the innovative measures taken under different schemes will help in making the state self sufficient in Fish Production.The Minister said 2958 Low Cost Houses have also been constructed for the downtrodden fishermen community during last financial year while 133 houses are being constructed this year to ensure privacy and safety for the beneficiaries.
On the occasion, Minister was informed that under Blue Revolution Scheme, Rs 14.14 crore was approved under state action plan during current fiscal while a new proposal of Rs 10.00 crore has been proposed for next fiscal.Mr. Kohli said Special incentive based schemes are also being framed and introduced for unemployed youth as well as people already employed in these sectors and measures to invite fresh investment are also being undertaken. He said the Integrated State Fisheries Action Plan attempts to enhance Endeavour by giving higher priority and coverage for judicious resource utilization through adoption of appropriate state specific technologies for increase in production, employment generation and economic empowerment of all stake holders.The Minister also interacted with the farmers and after giving patient hearing to their issues, assured them that their genuine demands will be looked into. He stressed on the farmers to organize themselves in Self Help Groups (SHGs) and cooperatives so as to take benefits of schemes falling in their domain. He directed the officials to put dedicated and coordinated efforts in motivating the farmers to take benefit of various state and centrally sponsored schemes.