Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 19: Minister of State for Fisheries, Finance and Planning, Dr. Manohar Lal Sharma today said that fish production has reached 19.95 thousand tonnes during current year while 14000 license fishermen are earning their livelihood and the sector has vast potential of employment. He said that a modern Trout feed mill has been established at a cost of Rs. 10 crore at Manasbal, Kashmir to cater to the demand of Trout feed on no profit and no loss basis.
The Minister was replying to the discussion on the demand of Grants for the Fisheries Department in the Lower House today.
Dr. Sharma said that fast growing species Rohu, Catla, Mrigal, Common Carp, Grass Carp and Silver Carp are cultured all over the State. He said 42 Government Trout Fish farms/hatcheries and 19 Carp Fish farms are functioning in the State.
The Minister said that 400 lakh of Carp Fish Seed and on crore Trout Ova are being produced and provided on subsidized rates to farmers. He said that 891 Carp Units and 343 Trout Units have been established in private sector under RKVY/NMPS. He said that an assistance of Rs. 2.40 lakh/unit for a Trout unit and Rs. 1.50 lakh/unit for Carps is provided to the private fish farmers under RKVY/NMPS.
Dr. Sharma said that the Fisheries Department has successfully launched schemes of privatization of fish culture under Prime Minister’s Package/RKVY/NMPS schemes, adding that 1049 units have been established under these schemes up to ending March, 2013 in the State. He said this has led to the creation of employment avenues for the un-employed youth besides propagation of fish culture in the private sector.
Earlier, the Minister moved a demand for grant of a sum of Rs. 64.35 crore to defray the charges which will come in the course of payment during the year ending March 31, 2015 for the departments under his charge.
19 Members took part in discussion on demand of grants including Nasir Aslam Wani, Rafi Ahmed Mir, Krishan Chander, Lal Chand, Nizam-ud-din Bhat, Mohammad Sharief Niaz, Balwant Singh Mankotia, Jugal Kishore, Peerzada Mansoor Hussain, Charanjit Singh, Prof Chaman Lal, Javed Mustafa Mir, Ashwani Kumar Sharma, Ashok Kumar, Haji Mohammad Ashraf, Ashok Khajuria, Er Abdul Rashid, Syed Bashir Ahmed and Yashpal Kundal.
Later, the members, who moved the Cut Motions on the Grants, withdrew after the satisfactory reply from the Minister.
The House passed the grants by a voice vote.
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