In a move aimed to invite corporate sector in the fish production in Chhattisgarh, state government has amended its fishery policy and announced to lease out barrages and annicuts (small dams). "The state cabinet Saturday night approved the proposal that would enable the fisheries department to hand over barrages and annicuts for fish production," a state government spokesperson said. Through the 1000 fishermen cooperative societies, around 40,000 members would be benefitted, he added.
But the fresh decision of the state government had been reportedly aimed to help the big players and inviting corporate in the sector. As per the practice going on, small committee comprising 50 to 100 fishermen had been taking the portion of pond or annicut on lease for fish cultivation. The state government had decided to hand over barrages and reservoirs having capacity of irrigating more than 1000 hectares to the fishery federation that would auction it out. Since the local fishermen or the committee would not be in a position to bag big deals, corporate and prominent businessmen were likely to venture into the fish production in the state.
Under the revised policy, the firm taking barrages and annicuts on auction would train the local fishermen with the modern facilities and technology in fish production. The government decision underlined that fish cultivation in Chhattisgarh would see modern technology that could be provided only by big players.
The officials said the decision was solely aimed to enhance fish production that would ultimately help the fishermen. After all, fish production in Chhattisgarh had registered a growth of more than 130 per cent over a period of a decade.
But the fresh decision of the state government had been reportedly aimed to help the big players and inviting corporate in the sector. As per the practice going on, small committee comprising 50 to 100 fishermen had been taking the portion of pond or annicut on lease for fish cultivation. The state government had decided to hand over barrages and reservoirs having capacity of irrigating more than 1000 hectares to the fishery federation that would auction it out. Since the local fishermen or the committee would not be in a position to bag big deals, corporate and prominent businessmen were likely to venture into the fish production in the state.
Under the revised policy, the firm taking barrages and annicuts on auction would train the local fishermen with the modern facilities and technology in fish production. The government decision underlined that fish cultivation in Chhattisgarh would see modern technology that could be provided only by big players.
More From This Section
The change in policy had perplexed the fishermen community in the state though they were not going on record to make instant comment. "We are looking into the text of the policy change and will react at an appropriate time as the move appears to be a move to help big players," said President of one of the committees. Chhattisgarh fisheries minister Brijmohan Agrawal could not be contacted as his office said he was out of state.
The officials said the decision was solely aimed to enhance fish production that would ultimately help the fishermen. After all, fish production in Chhattisgarh had registered a growth of more than 130 per cent over a period of a decade.