Customers left crying for Ngakra, Ukabi at Fish Fair
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, November 14 2012: Though there were abundance of indigenous fishes like Pengba and Ngaton in the Fish Fair cum Fish Crop Competition organized by Fishery Department, Government of Manipur at Hapta Kangjeibung here today, customers were deprived of other indigenous fishes like Ngakra and Ukabi, which are favourites of Manipuris.

The Fish Fair cum Fish Crop Competition, 2012 which was organized in connection with Ningol Chakkouba Festival was attended by various fish farmers of the state opening altogether 77 stalls.

Eight of the stalls belonged to District Fishery Officer (DFO), Bishnupur; eight others to DFO, Thoubal; six of DFO Imphal East; 1 each of DFO Tamenglong, DFO Chandel, DFO Ukhrul and DFO Churachandpur.

Eight other stalls were opened from the side of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Imphal, 9 stalls from CEO Bishnupur, 3 stalls from CEO Churachandpur; 1 stall each from CEO Ukhrul, Federation office and Fishery Department.

During the fair, customers were provided fishes like Rohu, Katla and Mirgal at Rs 190/kg; Grass Carp at Rs 160/kg; Common Carp and Kuri at Rs110/kg; Ngaton at Rs 400/kg and Pengba at Rs 550/kg.A meager quantity of around 67 kgs of Tiger Prawn and indigenous Prawn were also up for sale at Rs 800/kg.The inaugural function of the annual fish fair cum fish crop competition was graced by Speaker Th Lokeshwar and Fisheries and Agriculture Minister Md Abdul Nasir as Chief Guest and President respectively.

MLAs N Nandakumar, RK Imo, Ibomcha and S Bira were also present as Guests of Honour.

Speaking on the occasion, Speaker Th Lokeshwar described Manipuris as the most fish consuming communities in the whole world.

We need to stop the habit of importing fishes from outside the state and satisfy ourselves with the fishes we get in the state by increasing fish production.

While praising the effort of the Fishery Department in providing fishes to the people of the state at reduced rates on the occasion of Ningol Chakkouba, the Speaker appealed to the fish farmers of the state to increase production of fishes in the state.

K Shantikumar, Director of Fisheries Department, who was also present on the occasion, said that this year the Fishery Department is targeting to produce 62 thousands kilograms of fishes as against the targeted of 60 thousands last year.

The fish farmer producing greatest quantity of fishes would be awarded a cash price of Rs 60,000 and Rs 40,000 and Rs 30,000 respectively for the second and third best producers, he informed, adding that a cash reward of Rs 5000 would also be given as consolation prizes to 25 fish farmers apart from an amount of Rs 15,000 to the best Indigenous Fish producer and Rs 10,000 each to the Best District Level Officer and CEO of the Hills and the valley.

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