Dr Ranjan proposes inland fishery institute
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 07 2020: Lok Sabha MP Dr RK Ranjan has asked the Centre for a budgetary provision to set up an inland fishery institute in Manipur.

Supporting the Union budget 2020-21 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Lok Sabha, Dr Ranjan said that an inland fishery institute in the State would enable the country achieve the targets set for blue economy.

Raising his proposal to increase fish production in the State to meet own demand, he identified Mayang Imphal area as an ideal pla-ce for the proposed fishery institute.

Dr Ranjan proposes inland fishery institute

85 percent of the total population in the State depends on fish protein for daily dietary requirement.

The State's fish production is not sufficient to meet the demand.

"We import large quantity of fish from other States and even from neighbouring country Myanmar," he said pointing out that Manipur valley has many fresh water wetlands where fishery can be encouraged and promoted to help the country achieve its targets.

India is targeting to achieve fish export worth Rs 1 lakh crore by 2024-25, 200 lakh tons of fish production by 2022-23 and reach 3,477 Sagar Mitras and 500 fish farmer producer organisations.

He also proposed allocation of funds for use of Loktak Lake water for irrigation and domestic consumption.

Mentioning the budget's proposed adoption of cluster based focus on 'one product, one district' for better marketing and export in horticulture sector, he highlighted Chief Minister N Biren's suggestion to name four districts of Manipur - Tamenglong as orange district, Imphal East as pineapple district, Ukhrul as lemon district and Pherzawl as ginger district.

Expressing that the Budget 2020-21 is 'well dedicated' for development of the North Eastern region, Dr Ranjan said that there is an urgent need to improve the implementation mechanism particularly the 10% budgetary provision of North-East India from different Ministries.

He suggested that the budgetary allocation of the 10 % fund be allowed to flow through DoNER Ministry for implementation of various projects in the region.