Fish farmers in CCpur say no to transfer of officer
Source: Chronicle News Service / Kaimuanthang Mangte

Churachandpur, June 15 2021: Peeved by the recent transfer of the district fishery officer (DFO) Jenishing Tarao to Chandel, Churachandpur-based fish farmers' associations met the district incharge minister Vungzagin Valte on June 13 at his Lamphelpat quarter.

After listening to their grievances, the minister assured the fish farmers that he would take steps so as to stay the transfer order of the DFO.

Soon after, Vungzagin called up the fisheries minister to apprise him of the matter, according to a source from the fish farmers.

The source further said that fisheries minister Soroikhaibam Rajen informed the fish farmers that the Churachandpur DFO was transferred to Chandel to settle an issue over the Chandel Fishery Office, whereupon the fish farmers countered the fishery minister's attribution by stating that a problem that arises in another district should not cost Churachandpur district from having a committed officer like Tarao.

Then the farmers met Singngat MLA Ginsuanhau, chairman MAN- IREDA and MTDC at his quarter, during which the farmers gave a detailed report about the need for Tarao's stay in Churachandpur and the MLA promised to try his best for resolving the matter.

Jenishing Tarao took charge as fishery officer of Churachandpur in March, 2020 and there has been perceptible improvement in the functioning of the fishery department since then as no one knew whether the department was existed in the past.

During his short stint, Jenishing Tarao bought furniture from his own pocket and made the office functional apart from renovating the fishery pond located within the office premises.

As the DFO accorded priority for improvement of fish rearing activities in the district, Chura- chandpur has seen a prospective future in this sector.

He used to personally inspect the place where any scheme was implemented and gave encouragement to the beneficiaries.

Under his initiatives a good number of ponds are to be constructed while sufficient numbers of cage culture are planned at Khuga Dam, apart from getting approved by higher authority one major central project called Integrated Development of Khuga Reservoir which would benefit many people in the district.

The detailed project report was prepared in association with Khuga Dam Development Authority.

Now, the funds have been sanctioned and once they are released the implementation will begin right away, informed the fish farmers.

The project aims to properly safeguard the dam and enable rearing of fishes.

For this purpose, five more hectares of land near the Khuga dam will be acquired for construction of unique ponds for rearing various types and sizes of fishes.

The project comprises setting up of an office for common meeting of civil body and the department, purchase of fish boat for use by the farmers, market for sale of fish and a place for drying the fish, training centre and a laboratory room for treatment of sick fishes, hatchery and many others.

Khuga Dam Development Authority, Khuga Dam Reservoir, Cage Culture Committee and Churachandpur District Fish Farmers Union took serious note of the DFO's transfer and decided to take up all possible steps in the days to come for reposting of Tarao as DFO Churachandpur, stating the so many initiatives undertaken by him need his presence and guidance.

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