Excelsior Correspondent
KANGAN, Apr 29: Minister for Forests, Environment and Ecology, Mian Altaf Ahmad today distributed cheques worth Rs 25 lakhs among the 17 fish farmers of Ganderbal at a function organized in connection with employment fair-cum-awareness camp held at Maamer Kangan today. The prospective fish farmers were provided the incentives for the construction of 12 trout ponds, 3 carp units and financial assistance for construction of 2 low cost houses for concerned beneficiaries.
Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, Sarmad Hafeez, officers of Fisheries Department and large gathering of fish farmers were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister urged upon the youth to avail the opportunities being made available by the Government to set up their income generating ventures including fish farming by virtue of the financial assistance being made available through various centrally and State sponsored welfare schemes. He said that instead of looking for Government jobs, the educated youth can easily get dignified jobs in private sector by setting up of their income generating units.
Referring to scenic beauty of Kangan and its adjacent areas, the Minister emphasized for ensuring the ecological balance and maintain pollution free environment by afforestation and other necessary measures, adding that the every individual should contribute for conservation of natural resources.
He said that the area is itself an attraction for tourists visiting the valley across the globe and it is the need of hour to maintain the cleanliness and hygiene in and around Kangan area so that the visitors enjoy the natural beauty of Kangan.
Appealing people particularly those related to tourism industry to extend warm welcome and sound hospitality to the visiting tourists Mr Altaf said that the gesture of Kangan inhabitants should always be positive and healthy towards the visitors so that socio-economic conditions of the local populace is improved and people live a prosperous life.
Earlier the Minister inaugurated the 59th HDFC Bank Branch at Kangan and also 165th ATM in the State.
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