Punjab govt hikes subsidy on setting up new fish farms

Chandigarh: The Punjab government today announced to increase subsidy to 50 per cent from the current 40 per cent for setting up new fish farms in the state.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal made this decision after meeting a delegation of fish farmers here today. The Chief Minister also directed the fisheries department to send more delegations of fish farmers from state to Odisha and Andhra Pradesh to study the modern practices and techniques of fish farming there. He also asked the Financial Commissioner Animal Husbandry, Dairy & Fisheries to tie up with the Chinese Embassy in India to arrange tour of atleast 10 progressive fish farmers to study the emerging techniques over there, as China was known for its best fish farming practices in the world. The Chief Minister also asked the Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL) Chairman to immediately initiate steps for giving electricity connections to fish farmers on the priority in order to promote fish farming in a big way. Badal also called upon the fish farmers` societies to avail the facilities being extended by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) like provision of nets at 50 per cent subsidy and supply of four wheelers (mini trucks) at 90 per cent subsidy. He said fishery societies in villages could purchase such vehicles for transporting fish to nearby fish markets. The Chief Minister further said that two new ultra modern fish markets were being established at Bathinda and Amritsar by Punjab Mandi Board.