Fishery Minister S. Rajen Singh inspected Fish Feed Mill Plant at Lamphelpat, Imphal on Tuesday. During his visit, the minister also inspected the Fish Farm in Imphal West maintained by the state government.
Speaking to media, Rajen said that there is a need for up-gradation of the government maintained fish farms in the state. The present status of the state maintained farms is not up to the mark.
The budgetary allocation for fishery department is very minimum. More funds will be required to upgrade government maintained farms which are scattered in different districts, he added.
The minister maintained that if there is shortage of fund in the state exchequer for sanctioning required fund, North Eastern Council, NEC, will be approached for financial assistance. He also instructed the concerned officers to prepare Detail Project Report, DPR in the regard. Rajen also advised the fishery officials and staffs to be dedicated and sincere in their service so as to enable them to produce more and more fish products by the department.
Rajen said that the plant needs to be improvised since the present machines and equipments being used, are of very less capacity. He suggested installing a new hi-tech plant to enable more production of fish feed.
Director of Fishery department was also instructed to start taking initiative in this regard. He also checked the quality of the fish feed thoroughly produced by the plant and maintained by the fishery department, Manipur. He also said that such inspections will be carried out for the remaining districts.
The minister was accompanied by additional chief secretary, government of Manipur MH Khan, IAS, director, Fishery, N. Gojendro Singh and other officials and staffs from the department.
