The fish farmers’ cooperative societies in Bihar are set to receive help from the government. The aim is to strengthen the societies which in turn would help in improving the condition of fishermen. A total of 462 cooperative societies of fishermen are working in Bihar in as many blocks of the state and these have a membership of around 4 lakh fishermen. “The government stands for making one office building for each cooperative society at the place of their functioning,” an official in the animal and fisheries resources department told The Telegraph, adding that each office would be equipped with a computer. The government would also provide services of a manager to the societies, and pay them salary. The government would also help the cooperative societies in keeping their accounts audited and services of chartered accountants would be provided to them. “These moves would change the way the fishermen cooperative societies function at present,” said the official, adding that presence of managers would usher in professionalism. According to the plan, each society offices would also have retail outlet using which fishermen would be able to sell their products. To mobilise funds, the government is planning to take help of National Cooperative Development Corporation for loan.