Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 3: Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Fisheries, Dr Manohar Lal Sharma, today inspected several units of Fisheries Department in Jammu and Samba districts and instructed officers to expand the ambit of their activities so that maximum persons are brought under the schemes introduced in the fisheries sector. He inspected fisheries office Sidhra, Fisheries Marketing Unit Narwal and Sungwal Fish Demonstration Centre at Samba.
Director Fisheries, A K Dogra, Chief Executive Officer, NHPC, NABARD Funded Fisheries Projects, K.S.Charak, Assistant Director, J.L.Sharma, besides other senior officers of the department accompanied the Minister.
The Minister directed the authorities to come up with a comprehensive proposal for construction of an amusement park cum awareness centre on the available 37 lakh land at Sidhra. He said the park on completion can become a recurring source of income to the department and also provide alternate spot for entertainment to the people, particularly, living in Jammu city and the means of awareness about the income generating schemes being run by the department.
The Minister was informed that 50 fish ponds have been set up in the district Jammu so far and 4 more such ponds are expected to be completed this year, while the department has earned revenue of Rs. 6 lakh during current fiscal.
While inspecting the Bahu Fort Aquarium, the Minister was informed that about 4.50 lakh visitors visited the place and department has earned Rs. 77 lakh on account of entry fee during this fiscal till date. He directed the authorities to carry out necessary repairs and renovation works in the aquarium to add to its attraction.
Dr Sharma also visited Fish Market Narwal and took stock of the progress of the project. He was informed that Rs 1.27 crore has been expended on creation of basic infrastructure in the market, which included establishment of ice plant and cold storage facilities. He was further told that 8 shops have also been constructed within the market premises for whole-sellers and retailers at a cost of Rs. 52 lakh.
Dr Sharma also inspected Sungwal Fish Demonstration Centre at Samba and reviewed the progress on the project.
The Minister was told that for maintaining round the year water supply to the Centre a bore-well has been construction at a cost of Rs. 11.50 lakh within the Centre. The department has constructed 142 fish ponds, including 82 community ponds in the district, the Minister was informed.
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