Srinagar, Feb 8: Minister of State for Hajj, Auqaf Fisheries, Aijaz Ahmad Khan stressed the need to develop Fisheries department on modern scientific lines.
 The minister said the department has enough potential for creating employment opportunities in the state. He said the need of the hour is to tap this potential.
 The Minister was addressing the officers of the Fisheries department here on Wednesday at winter secretariat. The Director Fisheries, Showkat Ali Mir was also present in the meeting.
 The Minister said that various new fisheries developmental schemes are being introduced this year to boost the private sector. He emphasised on the officers to focus on the enhancement of trout and carp fish production. He also  asked them to implement all welfare schemes for fishermen in letter and spirit.
 While reviewing the progress of the department, the Minister was informed that Rs. 7.30 crore, out of Rs. 11.26 crore earmarked for the CFY has been spent so far. It was also said that fish production has reached to 16.50 tons while the department has earned revenue of Rs. 2.92 crore so far including Rs. 1.28 crore out of sale of trout fish.
 Aijaz was further informed that the department presently has 42 hatcheries where the seeds of compound trout fish are being developed. It was also told that the number of registered fishermen have gone upto 11500. Presently 838 units of carp fish and trout fish are functioning under private sector while 83 such units are under construction.
 The Minister was told that till now 2110 residential houses were constructed for fishermen while as 340 such houses are under construction at present.
 Later, the Minister stressed upon all the officers to spend the funds judiciously and asked them to complete their targets within stipulated time.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 8 Feb 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 8 Feb 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 9 Feb 2012 00:00:00 IST