Road Map for Development of Fisheries in Telangana ......CM KCR in TS Assembly

Road Map for Development of 

Fisheries in Telangana

CM KCR in TS Assembly

03-01-2017

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao lays roadmap for development of the stagnant fisheries sector to generate Rs. 11,000 crore.

Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Tuesday laid out a blueprint to develop the torpid fisheries sector in the State into a vibrant industry with potential to reap rich dividends for the fisher folks.

Replying to a short discussion on fisheries in the State Legislative Assembly, he said fisheries in Telangana had cried for attention of the rulers in the undivided State, when it was as one of the most neglected sectors. “The sector which was neglected till 2014 is now expected to generate Rs 3,500 crore during 2016-17, and our objective is to raise it to Rs 11,000 crore once the State realizes the full potential in due course of time,” he said.

Asserting that the government will come out with a new fisheries policy and make adequate allocation for the sector in the next budget, the Chief Minister said an all-party meeting will be convened before formulating the new policy. All stakeholders would be taken into confidence as the benefits should reach genuine beneficiaries, he said.

He also assured that a meeting would be convened soon at Janahita block at Pragati Bhavan to discuss the key issues that need to be addressed for promoting it as lifeline of the dependent communities. “The Government is ready to spend any amount on the sector after streamlining the societies and their membership,” he said.

While marketing and export of fisheries would be given a push by ensuring hygienic conditions at all levels, he said equal attention would be paid to research and production of seedlings in a big way.

The Chief Minister also announced that two colleges exclusively on pisciculture besides two fisheries research centers would be set up in the State soon. The Fisheries Department would be strengthened by recruiting about 400 to 500 additional employees. The State would also set up more fish farms to grow fish seedlings in a big way, he said, adding that kin of fishermen killed in accidents would be paid Rs 6 lakh as assistance and ex gratia.

Pointing out that despite being a landlocked state, it was endowed with splendid opportunity in the form of a largest network of small irrigation sources, thanks to the Kakatiya kings and the Nizams who developed irrigation tanks in a big way.

Though the State has 46,000 irrigation tanks, 28 crore fish seedlings were released in only 3,939 tanks wherein the water storage lasts for a minimum period of six months a year.

More funds to develop Telangana fisheries industry: KCR

CM said the Government will provide equipment such as nets, modern motor bots and other tools to fishermen. Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Tuesday said the state government will take necessary steps to fully utilize the potential of fisheries and aquaculture.

He said the Government would allot necessary fund in the upcoming budget so as to reap the potential which is pegged at Rs 5,000 crore and also set up two specialised colleges for fisheries sciences.

“As per the expert reports our state has the potential to get Rs 4,500 crore to Rs 5,000 crore worth of fisheries. We will allot more funds in the upcoming budget and ensure that the state exploits the full potential,” Rao said during a debate on ‘Development of Fisheries in the State’ in the Legislative Assembly.

“We will also plan to set up two fisheries colleges in the state – one in southern Telangana and one in Northern Telangana,” he added.

KCR bets big on aqua-based sectors

The net income generated by the sector today (Rs 500 crore) would go up ten folds in the coming years. Chief Minister said fish production in the State was projected to yield over 3.5 lakh tonnes this year, against two lakh tonnes last year.

Pisciculture taken up by adopting an integrated approach would help raise the production to 11 lakh tonnes eventually, he said, adding that the net income generated by the sector today (Rs 500 crore) would go up ten-fold to cross the Rs 5,000 crore mark in the coming years.

“The potential of the fisheries is so high that every community can be assured of its due. Once Kaleshwaram and Palamoor lift irrigation schemes are completed, the State would have enormous scope for development of fisheries and its export to other land-locked States,” he said.

Pointing out that Telangana was known for its red shrimp before merger with AP, he said it was unfortunate that it had almost vanished from the region because of neglect of the fisheries sector by successive governments in the undivided State. “The government is now firm on reviving the red shrimp, along with the past glory of the State,” he assured.

Stating that cage-culture of fish which was a big success in States such as Jharkhand, he said it was taken up on pilot basis in some places in the State. “The tanks and reservoirs in these places have come alive with cage-culture. Once the lift irrigation schemes taken up by the government is completed, they would create a large water-spread on Godavari and its tributaries, enhancing the scope for development of fisheries,” CM said.

(Courtesy Telangana Today)