At Balasore, Rupala was greeted by officials from the Department of Fisheries, as well as fishermen, fish farmers, and other stakeholders. The review meeting programme had already been launched in other states and union territories of the country, where Parshottam Rupala talked with beneficiaries, fishermen, fish farmers, traders, and other stakeholders about the progress of the fisheries industry.
On March 25, 2023, a review meeting programme was held at NOCCI Balasore Infrastructure Company in Bampada with fishermen, fish farmers, and other stakeholders in the fisheries industry, showcasing initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The existing challenges, accomplishments, and prospects were examined, and participants provided input and proposals for improving the schemes.
The programme began at Balasore with the lighting of the lamp in the presence of dignitaries. Other dignitaries who attended the meeting included. Narendra Singh Tomar (by video), Sawar Dhanania (Chairman, Rubber Board), Rajendra Rout (Chairman, Remuna Block), Sudhanshu Shekhar Parida (MLA, Remuna Constituency), Paratap Chandra Sarangi (MP, Balasore), Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde (DM, Balasore), MC Dominic (Founder & Editor-in Chief, Krishi Jagran).
Parshottam Rupala, Union Cabinet Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairy, attended various Krishi Sanyantra programmes in Kuruda Field and honoured over 75 local successful farmers.
Following that, Parshottam Rupala, Union Cabinet Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, addressed the audience about the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) scheme and other multi-dimensional Blue Revolution activities, with a particular emphasis on increasing fisheries production and productivity (both inland and marine) and its associated activities, such as infrastructure development, marketing, exports, and institutional arrangements, among others. In this regard, he presided over the review meeting in Balasore. He interacted with dignitaries/officers, PMMSY and KCC beneficiaries.
Further, he highlighted about the implementation of PMMSY scheme in all the States & Union Territories and talked in detail about eliminating the gaps in the value chain of fisheries through implementation of schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and KCC for beneficiaries, fish farmers & fishermen.
Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, attended the event highlighted significant achievements and success of Department of Fisheries ,GoI such as sanction of the construction of 47 new freshwater finfish, 2 Prawn hatcheries, 4 brackish water hatcheries, 4 Large Marine finfish hatcheries, Stage II fishing harbour at Astaranga (Nuagarh) Puri District, 18 Ice Plants/Cold storages, 12 Fish Retail Markets and 32 Fish Kiosks, 18 new Fish Feed Mill Units and 3 Fish Feed Plants.
Further, he highlighted the sanction of the modernization of 8 Ice Plants/Cold storages, expansion of 750 hectare area for aquaculture, expansion of 800 hectare area for brackish water aquaculture, sanctioned acquisition of 5 new Deep sea fishing vessels for traditional fishermen, Integrated Development of 2 reservoirs, establishment of 2300 reservoir cages, establishment of 7 ornamental fish rearing and breeding units, establishment of 157 recirculatory aquaculture systems, sanction of the 750 post-harvest transportation units (including 10 refrigerated vehicles, 115 insulated vehicles, 5 Live fish vending centres, 400 motor cycle with ice boxes, and 220 three wheelers with ice boxes), establishment of 10 Bio-toilets in mechanized fishing vessels, 1700 communication and /or Tracking Devices for traditional and motorized vessels like VHF /Transponders etc., 560 boats (replacement) and nets for traditional fishermen, sanction of 781 Safety kits for fishermen of traditional and motorized fishing vessels, 8 Disease diagnostic and quality testing labs, mobile labs/clinics etc.
He also shared that employment of 600 multipurpose for Sagar Mitras and nutritional and livelihood support to 44,417 socio-economically backward and active traditional fishers families during fishing ban/lean period have been given during 2020-21 to 2022-23. Further, he threw light on the financial achievements under the fisheries sector for PMMSY and other schemes of Government of India with a total targeted investment of Rs 967 Crore with a central fund allocation of Rs 372 Crore. He took public meetings and discussed various activities within the departments. Interaction session was organized with fish farmers, fishermen, trade farmers, local people who interacted in the session and put forth their issues & suggestions.
This interactive workshop will undoubtedly aid in addressing the challenges that have arisen, and they will be addressed in order to boost the development of the fisheries sector. The review meeting programmes will have a substantial and long-term impact on future generations since they will address numerous developmental challenges comprehensively, with far-reaching positive effects for the growth and development of the fishing industry.
