Free fish seedlings to strengthen fishermen financially: Minister A Indrakaran Reddy

Nirmal: To strengthen the fisherman financially, the State government has been supplying fish seedlings on hundred percent subsidy to them, stated Forest, Environment and Endowments Minister A Indrakaran Reddy.

Speaking at a programme at Pochampad project under Soan mandal in Nirmal district on Thursday, the Minister said the State government has been distributing fish seedlings free to the fishermen unlike other States in the country and releasing them in projects, reservoirs, tanks.

This year, about 100 crore fish seedlings will be distributed across the State. 62 lakh fish seeds will be released in Sriram Sagar project and on Thursday five lakh fish seeds were released, the Minister informed. 18.34 lakhs in Kadem project; 17 lakhs in Sudda Vagu project; 4.28 lakhs in Chinna Sudda Vagu project; 1.29 lakh fish seedlings will be released in reservoirs and 551 tanks in the district, he said. Apart from this, the government also providing two and four wheelers on subsidy to the fishermen for marketing and selling the fish. From Kaleshwaram project, one TMC for Pochampad, 1 TMC for LMD and 1 TMC water for Mallanna Sagar will be distributed, so that about one lakh acres will be cultivated in the district.

The Minister said that the TRS government had allocated 35 percent budget for agriculture, for farmer loan waiver, free current, Rythu Bima and other projects. Safe drinking water under Mission Bhagiratha is being supplied to households, he added.

Zilla Parishad Chairperson Vijaya Lakshmi, FACS chairperson Ramkishan Reddy, ZPTC Jevan Reddy, MPPs Rameshwar Reddy, Harish Reddy, fisheries department officer Devendar, District Animal Husbandry Officer D Ramesh Kumar, RDO Prasunamba and others were present.