Source: The Imphal Free Press
Imphal, October 23:
The annual fish fair, organized by the state fisheries department every year since 1975 ahead of the Ningol Chakouba festival, may not be held this year due to the poor response from fish farmers even though the department says every effort will be made to hold a successful fair.
According to sources, a number of local fish farmers approached by the department have rejected the department�s request to take part in the fair, apparently because the authorities have failed to implement various grants and subsidies usually provided to fish farmers by the department.
Most fish farmers reportedly said they preferred to sell their product in the open market and get higher profit.
According to sources, the grants under public contract schemes of the finance department provided to the local farmers have been stopped since the last three years.
Under this scheme, a total amount of Rs 10-15 lakhs is provided to selected farmers as grants.
Another scheme taken by the department for the development of fish farms has also been paralyzed as grants under this scheme have not been provided for the last ten years, seriously affecting fish farmers.
It may be mentioned that altogether 40 groups and fishery societies had participated in the fish fair last year, putting up for sale altogether 21,000 kilos of fish of various types.