Hyderabad: Telangana Government mulls mobile fish selling units

• 26,000 TVS Moped bikes have been distributed across state

• GHMC brass too asked to prepare logistics in its 150 wards

• City has no proper fish shops except major fish markets

NTR Stadium: Fish lovers no longer have to make it to the Ramnagar Fishmarket. The State government is planning to launch mobile fish selling units. Towards this end, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has been directed to prepare the logistics. Around 26,000 TVS moped bikes have been distributed across state informed Talasani Srinivas Yadav, Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, Fisheries and Cinematography soon after inaugurating the Fish Food Festival at NTR Stadium here on Friday.

"In the city, there are no proper fish shops, except major fish markets. The government is taking initiatives to help fishing communities by launching mobile units across different points in the city to increase employment and awareness. There is no effect of coronavirus by eating fish or chicken. People believing in rumours have stopped consuming fish and chicken. I request everyone not to believe in rumours and fake news. I have spoken to a couple of experts and doctors and they assure there is no connection to coronavirus with meat and fish industry," said Srinivas Yadav.

The District Fisheries Co-op. Society, Hyderabad, flagged off the three- day Fish Food Festival on Friday at NTR Stadium (Telangana Kala Bharathi), Hyderabad. The food courts are being run by different fisher co-operative societies of Hyderabad consists mostly of the women groups serving as many as 40 different cuisines made with fish, prawn and crab at reasonable prices.

The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and the Telangana State Fishermen Cooperative Societies Federation Ltd. (TSFCOF), Hyderabad are jointly supporting the Fish Food Festival.

The main aim of the fish food festival is to promote the consumption of fish by the public and popularise different cuisines made out of fish. The fisherwomen groups will get self-employment opportunities on the sale of fish and value-added products.

The fish food festival had stalls of dishes like Fish haleem, fish pickle, dry fish pickle and fish biryani.

K Padma, the president of District Fishermen co-operative Society, Hyderabad said, "To create awareness among the people on the health benefit of fish this festival is organised. If you are a fish lover and want to try some mouthwatering fish dishes you should definitely visit this National Fish Festival."

Radha Goud, a visitor, said, "I love to eat fish and also have tasted the food at these stalls they are very tasty and also healthy." Sumita, a visitor, said, "Everyone should consume fish at least once a week, as fish is healthier than red meat."