Minister of State for Forest, Environment, Animal & Sheep Husbandry, Cooperative and Fisheries, Mir Zahoor Ahmadb today handed over 70 bicycles among the registered fishermen of Batmaloo Constituency.The bicycles were provided to the fishermen beneficiaries to boost their livelihood. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said the state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, is committed to raise the living standard of the people of the State especially weaker sections of the society. He said several welfare schemes have been launched in the State with the aim to improve the socio-economic condition of the people.The Minister said that taking in account the challenge posed by unemployment, the government has introduced several flagship schemes including skill development programmes to create varied avenues of employability in the State. He said the Government is providing loans to the educated unemployed youth to establish diary, poultry, fish ponds and other units to earn livelihood.
Listing the measures taken to boost the fish culture, the Minister said that Blue Revolution programme has been launched in the state with the aim to increase the fish production and provide adequate facilities to the people associated with this trade. He appealed the farming community and fishermen to come forward and take advantage of the schemes meant for them.MLA Batmaloo, Noor Mohammad Sheikh also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the achievements of the present Government. He said liberal funding under different sectors is being provided by the Government for carrying out developmental works in the Batmaloo constituency.On the occasion, local people presented a charter of demands to the Minister.The Minister gave a patient hearing and assured them that their genuine demands will be looked into sympathetically.Senior Officers of Fisheries and other concerned Departments were present on the occasion.