Lall Bazaar Fish Market to get a Rs. 45 lakh revamp

GANGTOK, 19 Jan: A more hygienic and modern Domestic Fish Market with all required facilities is slated to come up at the existing Fish Market at Lall Bazaar soon. Costing a total of Rs 45 lakh, of which 90% has been provided by the National Fisheries Development Board [NFDB] and the rest by the State, the project will be executed by the UD&HD.
Speaking to NOW! today, the Deputy Director, Directorate of Fisheries, RP Sharma, informed that this market will be a highly hygienic one with proper cold storage facilities and other required facilities.
He informed that the market will have a temperature control facility where fish can be kept for around 15 days in ‘fresh’ condition. The market will have eight stalls. He further added that the project will be executed by the UD&HD and the Fisheries Directorate has already transferred the funds to the UD&HD to start the project.
He also informed that experts from NFDB and other agencies have consulted with the UD&HD for the project.
Mr. Sharma stated that the department has been trying to encourage local fishermen by giving priority and facilities in different fields and through different programmes.
The Deputy Director also pointed out that fish has a huge market in the state with a demand of 1,100 metric tonnes per year, so it is a good option in income generation for locals here.
He also spoke on the different initiatives of the Directorate towards encouraging fisheries in the state. License is issued to fishermen at a nominal fee of Rs 100 for 12 months for Rod and Line and Rs 150 for 12 months for cast net.
To encourage such fishermen who have been continually renewing their licenses to earn their livelihood through fishing, the Directorate has identified 40 such progressive fishermen who will be provided with Rs. 50,000 each under the Fishermen Welfare Scheme for constructing their houses. The houses will cost Rs 1 Lakh each, wherein the remaining Rs 50,000 has to be contributed by the fisherman.
Another public-oriented scheme run by the State is the provision of financial assistance for constructing a fish pond of 100 sq mtr in area and 1 mtr in depth with 500 fish seedlings. This project costs Rs 60,000, in which the state provides Rs 30,000 while the rest of the amount has to be met by the beneficiary.
Mr. Sharma mentioned that this kind of project has high production levels, which produces at least 200 kg of fish per pond every year and it has been doing well in different parts of the state. It gives good returns to the beneficiaries at a low cost and involving less labour, he added.