Chandigarh, August 11 (Shiv Narayan Jangra): The concerted efforts of the Punjab Fisheries Department borne fruits as the Government of India’s newly launched scheme Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is being implemented this year in the State with a already approved project of Rs.45.82 Cr. Govt. of India has already released first installment of Center Share of Rs. 5.68 Cr under this scheme. The State Government has also made the required budget provision to implement this scheme.
Disclosing this in an official communiqué, Mr. Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Minister of Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development Department said that under this scheme Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY); Fisheries Department, Punjab has submitted DPRs for 15 more projects with total cost of Rs. 61.71 crore to GOI. The approval is expected soon.
The Minister said that under this scheme, various new projects will be implemented for the development of fisheries sector in the State. Mr. Bajwa said that under this scheme, for the first time for encouraging the domestic marketing as well as to other states, vehicles for transportation of fish like cycles, motor cycles, auto rickshaws, insulated vans, refrigerated vans etc. will be provided on subsidy to the farmers in Punjab. The increase in fish farming and shrimp farming areas will also continue this year. The shrimp farming area in southwestern Punjab has doubled to more than 800 acre compared to 400 acre last year.
Department has submitted a Flagship Project on promotion of shrimp farming, processing and marketing to GoI for which GoI has suggested a 4 year project with a total cost of Rs. 536 crore. This will help in creating jobs for the youths and improve life of the people from zero earning land areas.
Animal Husbandry Minister said that the Punjab Government is promoting entrepreneurship in fisheries sector by introducing high investment projects like provision of Fish Feed Mills of different capacities on subsidy for the first time in the State. “Apart from this, latest innovative high-investment fish culture technologies like Re-circulatory Aquaculture System and Bio-Floc Culture System are being encouraged by provision of subsidy” added Mr. Bajwa.
