Imphal, February 11: Two fish jetties constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 31 lakhs with funding from NABARD have been respectively inaugurated at Takmupat and Ithingpat of Loktak lake today.

Fisheries Minister M Allauddin Khan inaugurated the two fish jetties in the presence of local MLA T Mangibabu.

Talking to The Sangai Express exclusively in connection with the NABARDfunded project, Fisheries Minister Md Allauddin Khan recalled that the project was sanctioned in 2005 and construction work began in 2006-07 with MANIDCO as the work agency.

While informing that another fish jetty is being constructed at Ningthoukhong as part of the same project, the Minister disclosed that the total project cost of the three fish jetties is Rs 45 lakhs.

The amount is being provided by NABARD as loan under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund at the interest rate of 5 percent annually.

The loan amount is to be returned within 10 years, the Minister said.

He further informed that out of the total project cost of Rs 45 lakhs, Rs 19 lakhs are meant for the fish jetty at Takmupat, Rs 12 lakhs for the jetty at Ithingpat and the remaining 16 lakhs for the jetty which is under construction at Ningthoukhong.

The construction of the fish jetty at Ningthoukhong will also be completed very soon, the Minister assured.

Expressing hope that the two fish jetties which were inaugurated today would be greatly benefit to the fishermen, the Minister explained that instead of taking home the catches, the fishermen can bring their catches for the day at the jetties where transport facilities would be available for taking the same directly to the markets.

Speaking of other welfare measures to be taken up for the fishermen an fish farmers, the Minister informed that a conference held at Kochi on January 5 along with Union Minister of Agriculture has decided to set up one model fish districts in each of the Indian States and a total amount of Rs 25,000 crores has been set aside for the purpose.

As of Manipur, Bishnupur district has been selected for setting up the proposed model fish district.

Manipur would be receiving Rs 200 crores from the Centre for setting up the model fish district at Bishnupur, the Minister added.

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