Fisheries minister assures probe into scam slur
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 28 2023:
Fisheries minister H Dingo has informed that the department is in the process of forming a high-powered committee to conduct enquiry into the allegation of fund misappropriation in fisheries department.
The minister gave the information in response to a policy cut motion moved by opposition member K Meghachandra during the discussion on demand for grant of fisheries department in the state assembly session on Tuesday.
MLA Meghachandra said that there is a report of fund misappropriating in fisheries department and enquired if the department had recovered the said fund.
Responding to the query, minister Dingo told the House that the same issue had been discussed in the PAC meeting.
As per the CAG report discussed in the PAC meeting, the amount misappropriated is Rs 31.91 lakh along with GST of Rs 3.4 lakh.
Process is on to form a high-powered committee to conduct an enquiry under Manipur Public Servants Personal Liabilities Act 2006, he said.
The minister further said that the annual fish demand in the state is 55,MT and the production only 33 MT a couple of years ago.
However, following initiatives of the government under the leadership of chief minister N Biren, the production capacity has increased to 45MT, he said while recalling how fish farmers of the state produced 1.5 lakh kg in the Ningol Chakkouba fish fair with Rs 3 crore sales against the target of 1 lakh kg.
Apart from RKVY scheme, PMSY Scheme provides financial assistance of 60 per cent grantin-aid to SC, ST and women farmers, and 40 per cent to general category for enhancing fish production.
There is also assistance for construction of biofloc and digging of ponds.
Action plan for 2023 has been submitted and pending for approval, he said and added that screening of beneficiaries for the same is under process.
No projects were taken up in 2021-22.However, in 2020-21,765 ponds were dug in 145 hectares of land.
The department is targeting to cover 225 hectares in 2023-24, he said while adding that there is no provision for providing fingerlings free of cost.
Reacting to the minister's clarification, MLA Meghachandra expressed dissatisfaction over the failure of the department to conduct an enquiry into the matter before the assembly session or presenting a report in this regard during the session.