Punjab Animal Husbandry Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar, on Thursday, constituted four member committee to consider rebate in power tariff for shrimp farming in the state. After carefully listening to the problems of the shrimp farmers at his office here, S. Laljit Singh Bhullar said that the state government will focus on reducing the input cost of shrimp farmers to meet the target of increasing the area under shrimp culture to 5000 hectares in next five years.
On the demand of the shrimp farmers for reducing power tariffs for shrimp farming, the Cabinet Minister said that the four members committee comprising of Director Fisheries, one PSPCL official and two shrimp farmers will thoroughly deliberate all aspects related to the demand and furnish it's report to him.
He said that the feasibility of switching from conventional energy sources with solar energy for shrimp farming will also be explored. S. Laljit singh Bhullar said, the south-western district Sri Muktsar Sahib, Fazilka, Mansa, Bathinda and Faridkot are affected with saline and waterlogging.
Although traditional crops, the Cabinet Minister said, have been affected in these districts, but shrimp culture has proved very beneficial in the region. And, the state government will leave no stone unturned to promote shrimp farming in this state and create maximum self-employment opportunities for the youth.
Meanwhile, Principal Secretary Mr. Vikas Pratap said that after obtaining the report of the committee, this matter will be forwarded to the finance department so that a suitable solution can be reached. Mr. Tejvir Singh, Principal Secretary Power said that shrimp farmers demands will be considered sympathetically.
Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included, Director Fisheries Mr. Jasbir Singh, Assistant Director Mrs. Satinder Kaur and other officials of the department.