Chandigarh, November 20:
The Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development Minister Mr. Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa congratulated the fish farmers of the state on the occasion of “World Fisheries Day” which is celebrated all over the world on 21st November every year and called upon them to produce more fish and create more employment opportunities.
Mr. Bajwa further said that the main objective of celebrating this day is to motivate the people for conservation and utilization of fish resources in natural waters so that these could be preserved for future generations. He also that Punjab being the land of five rivers the significance of this day is increasing in Punjab. He further said that the state government is making all out efforts to conserve these natural resources and maximize the fish production in the fish ponds. These initiatives are also generating employment opportunities in rural areas, said Bajwa.
The Fisheries Minister also said that under the able leadership of Charanjit Singh Channi, the state has been making steady progress in the field of Fisheries. Special emphasis is being laid on development of fisheries infrastructure and increasing fish production in Punjab. In this regard another new Government Fish Poong Farm is being set up by the government at village Qillianwali, District Fazilka which would provide quality fish to the farmers of District Fazilka, Sri Muktsar Sahib and other nearby districts at discounted rates.
Similarly a wholesale-cum-retail fish market is being set up by the government in Patiala district to provide hygienic fish to the consumers. In addition, the government is providing ice box subsidy including four wheelers, three wheelers and two wheelers for transportation of hygienic fish and providing new employment opportunities to the youth.
He also mentioned that in order to promote fish and prawn farming in the state, the government is providing financial assistance to the aspiring farmers for the construction of new ponds and for the first year fertilizer. Farmers wishing to avail the benefits of these schemes can contact the Fisheries Department.
Divulging more, he said that he was happy that in the salt water affected south-western districts of the state the prawn farming has started from one acre and has crossed the area of 800 acres due to the initiative undertaken by farmers. He said that the state government is making efforts to bring 5,000 acres of land under prawn farming in next five years.
Expressing his commitment to the fishermen of the state on the occasion of World Fisheries Day, Mr. Bajwa said that the fishermen should work for the rapid growth of fish and shrimp production in the state and for the overall development of fisheries so as to reduce the burden on natural resources and to reduce and promote fish farming profession. He appealed to the farmers to avail maximum benefits of the facilities provided by the government for the fish farming profession.
