The Fisheries Department has taken a multi-pronged programme to increase fish production in the state. Success is coming due to the proper implementation of the schemes adopted by the Central and State Governments for the overall welfare of the fish farmers. Fisheries Minister Sudhangshu Das said this at the state-level review meeting of the Fisheries Department at the conference hall of the Fisheries Department in Gorkhabasti on October 5, 2023. Principal Secretary of Fisheries Department BS Mishra, Director Moslemuddin Ahmed, Incharge Joint Director Subhash Singh Jamatia, Fisheries Supervisors of various districts and sub-divisions and officials of various departments were present in the review meeting.
In the review meeting, the Fisheries Minister said that such a review meeting of the department was held last April. Today’s review meeting is being held to check the extent to which the decisions taken in the last review meeting have been implemented and achieved. He said emphasis should be given to more fisheries in government reservoirs and hatcheries. Knowledge centres should be used to encourage fishermen. He directed the officials of the department to make regular field visits. The Fisheries Minister said Durga Puja is ahead. The department should take the initiative so that the people of the state can buy good fish at a low price from the counters of the fisheries department on Dasami day. The department also took this initiative on the first day of Baishakh and Jamai Shashti last year.
In the review meeting, the Director of the Fisheries Department, Moslemuddin Ahmed, informed that in the financial year 2023-24, 43 crore 29 lakh 65 thousand rupees has been sanctioned from the central government for the development of fish farming and infrastructure in the state under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana 4 crore 94 lakh 10 thousand rupees has been sanctioned from the state government (state share). Apart from this, 22 crore 25 lakh rupees has been sanctioned for Tripura Rural Economic Growth and Service Delivery Project from the World Bank. A new scheme named Mukhya Mantri Matsya Vikas Yojana has been taken up in this budget to increase the production of fish and fish fingerlings.
In the review meeting, the director also informed that a proposal has been sent to the central govemment to build 8 hatcheries in the state this year. Moreover, a plan has been taken to increase fish production in Amarsagar and Dhanisagar. More importance has been given to shrimp and Pabda fish farming in the state. Fish farmers are being trained for scientific fishing. In the review meeting, Assistant Engineer of Tripura Housing and Construction Board Pradeep Rudra Pal informed that the construction of 9 fish markets has been undertaken in the state. Already the work of 7 markets has been completed.