Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the Mukhya Mantri Matsya Vikas Yojana to aid fish-seed production and shrimp farming.

Chouhan said work has been done for economic upliftment, marriage, education, assistance besides providing insurance scheme benefits to the family members of the fishermen in the state.

The smart fish parlors will be set up in local bodies in the state.

This will provide organized employment to our fishermen as well as ensure availability of different types of clean and fresh fish to the consumers.

The assistance will be provided for fish-seed production and shrimp-cum-fish farming through Mukhya Mantri Matsya Vikas Yojana. Kisan Credit Cards will also be made available to fishermen at zero percent interest, he said.

Chouhan distributed fishing kits to 400 beneficiaries and motorcycles for sale and transportation of fish to 50 beneficiaries during the Budhni Kshetra Fishermen Conference held at Bhopal.

In addition, 443 beneficiaries were also given letters of approval of Kisan Credit Card. So far, one lakh 5 thousand fishermen have been given these cards in the state.

Fishermen Welfare and Fisheries Development and Water Resources Minister Tulsiram Silavat, MP Ramakant Bhargava, Head of Salkanpur Temple Trust Mahesh Upadhyay and people of Kewat Samaj were present in a large number. Chief Minister Chouhan’s wife Sadhana Singh Chouhan was also present in the programme.

The Kewat community also had difficulty in carrying their material. They are being given two wheelers. So far 50 beneficiaries have been benefitted under the scheme. Along with this, kit of material for fisheries and fisheries work is also being given. An ice box has also been provided with the motorcycle, fishing material includes nets, hooks, etc.

Chouhan said a strategy has been fixed to get the benefits of various beneficiary oriented schemes besides ensuring training and upgradation of fishermen to increase fish-seed, fish and shrimp production, providing market through effective marketing and branding, providing pond hatcheries, fish feed plants, boats and nets etc., working capital, employment and along with the arrangement of livelihood. The state government will give full cooperation in fisheries and seed production.