Fish Fair For Ningol Chakkouba Opened, Draws Big Crowd
77 stalls from across the State opened
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 14 2012: Aimed at ensuring sufficient availability of different variety of fishes ahead of the Ningol Chakkouba festival the annual Fish Fair cum Fish Crop Competition 2012 organised by the Directorate of Fisheries was inaugurated today by Speaker Th Lokeshwar at Hapta Kangjeibung, Palace Compound.

Fisheries Minister Abdul Nasir presided over the programme while MLAs S bira, RK Imo, L Ibomcha and L Nandakumar attended as guests of honour.

77 stalls have been put up out of which eight each are representing offices of District Fishery Officer (DFO), Bishnupur and Thoubal, five Imphal East DFO and two Ukhrul DFO, with one stall each representing Tamenglong, Senapati, Chandel and Churachandpur.

The other stalls belong to CEOs of Bishnupur (9), Imphal (8), Churachandpur (3), Ukhrul (1), Rural Bank Hiyangthang Branch (1) and one State Bank of India stall while 26 others are departmental stalls, canteens etc.

Delivering the key-note address, Director (Fisheries) K Saratkumar Singh highlighted that fair is being held every year since 1976 .

Fish put on sale during the fish mela

Informing that the last edition of the fair recorded excess in fish production by 4000 kgs compared to the target for 60,000 kgs, he exuded confidence that this year too the production would more than the expected quantity.

The Director also said that the best fish producer would be presented Rs 60,000 prize while second and third position winners would be awarded Rs 40,000 and Rs 30,000 respectively apart from 25 consolation prize of Rs 5000 each.

Moreover the Best Indigenous Fish Producer would be awarded Rs 15,000 while one each from the hill and valley districts would be awarded the Best District Level Officer (DFO) award carrying Rs 10,000 each, said Saratkumar.

He also informed that aim of the Fair is to enable the people have their choicest variety at reasonable rates and provide the fish producers common market to sell their produce.

He also said that the Department would be footing the bill for transportation of the fishes.

The opening day rate of Rohu (rou), common carp and Mrigal was Rs 190 each per kilogram, while Grass carp, Kuri and Silver carp were priced at Rs 160, Rs 220 and Rs 110 respectively.

Indigenous fish varieties such as Ngaton and Pengba commanded Rs 400 and Rs 550 respectively.

A total of 67 kilograms of local as well as imported prawn varieties are on sale at Rs 800 per kg at the Fair.

As chief guest of the fair inauguration programme, Speaker Th Lokeshwar applauded effort of the fish farmers to ensure abundant availability of fish for one of the grandest festivals of Manipur.

He also exhorted the fish farmers to double their efforts for turning Manipur into a major fish production State.

On the otherhand, the 2nd Ningol Chakkouba Fish Fair organised by All Manipur Nupi Marup, Lamlai Area Committee was held today at Irabot Park, Chalou where a total of 1000 kg fish of different varieties was put on display for sale.

Among others, the inaugural function of the Fair was attended by former Minister Ph Parijat, district Fishery Officer, Imphal East Y Ibobi and Marup's Lamlai Area Committee president O Lembi Leima.