Question : Storage and Preservation of Fish

(a) whether the Ministry through its ongoing schemes and programmes provides financial assistance for establishing cold storage facilities exclusively for storage and preservation of varieties of fish and fish products in Bihar particularly in the district Gopalganj;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons there for;

(c) whether a scheme to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable development of fisheries sector as a part of Aatmanirbhar Bharat package with highest ever investment of Rs. 20050 crores for fisheries development is being started; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the funds allocated to Bihar particularly in district Gopalganj?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
(SHRI PRATAP CHANDRA SARANGI)
(a) to (d) : Yes Sir. The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing a flagship scheme namely “Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) - to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector in India” with highest ever investment of Rs.20050 crore in fisheries sector in all the States/Union Territories including Bihar for a period of 5 years with effect from the financial year 2020-21. The Government of India has announced the PMMSY as a part of Athmanirbhar Bharat Relief Package. The PMMSY inter-alia provides financial assistance for development of post-harvest and cold chain infrastructure including construction of cold storages for preservation of fish and fisheries products. Besides, the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) implemented by the Department of Fisheries, Government of India also provides concessional finance for development of post-harvest infrastructure including cold storages for fish and fish products.

During the current financial year (2020-21), the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has accorded approval to the proposal of Government of Bihar at a total cost of Rs.183.32 crore with a central share of Rs. 58.64 crore under the PMMSY for development of fisheries in the State and the approved proposal includes construction of twelve ice plants/storages in the State. The Government of Bihar has envisaged developmental of various fisheries related facilities in Gopalganj District like establishment of hatcheries, construction of rearing ponds, grow-out ponds with inputs, biofloc ponds, Re-circulatory Aquaculture System (RAS), Matsya Seva Kendras and fish transport and marketing facilities under the PMMSY.

*****