Fishery Minister S. Rajen Singh today said government fish farms will be leased out in Public Private Partnership (PPP) model to fish farmers. State Cabinet will take a decision very soon in the regard, he added. Speaking to media at his office at Old Secretariat, he said that such steps were taken up by the government with the objective to increase fish production and also to encourage unemployed youths of the state to help to generate income, he maintained.
He said that there are reports of unauthorised encroachment upon the government-maintained fish farms by some individuals of the areas during the recent days. Notice was served to one individual for encroaching upon the Regional Pengba Farm, Haotak, Kumbi in Bishnupur District. He appealed all the concerned individuals to stop such illegal acts rather to cooperate with the government initiative. Explaining about the consumption of fish in the state, Rajen explained that more that Rupees four crore is spent every year to buy fish from other states. This money can be saved if we focus towards the improvement of unused fish farms in the state. All the concerned officials of the department have also been instructed to chalk out suitable plans in the regard, he added. He also highlighted the Loktak Livelihood Mission through which farming of fish through Cage Culture will be widely practiced in Loktak lake. This will also help to generate income for the farmers