Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh’s Cabinet Minister for Fisheries Development, Dr. Sanjay Kumar Nishad, has called for a widespread awareness campaign across rural and urban areas to promote fisheries-related schemes in the state. He stressed the need for transparent and impartial disbursement of scheme benefits, urging officials to ensure eligible beneficiaries receive timely assistance.
In a high-level review meeting held at his office in Vidhan Bhavan, Lucknow, Dr. Nishad stated that fisheries can play a pivotal role in boosting employment and enhancing the income of the fishing community. He directed that all grievances related to beneficiary selection, irregularities in implementation, and delays in payments must be resolved promptly.
Dr. Nishad emphasized the state’s commitment to strengthening the livelihoods of fisherfolk through qualitative improvements in fish production and productivity. He also instructed that the allotment process for departmental reservoirs should be completed by June 30, 2025, without delay.
Outlining the government’s vision to make Uttar Pradesh self-reliant in fish production, Dr. Nishad said that dependency on other states for fish seed and feed should be eliminated. “The fisheries department has a significant and meaningful role to play in achieving the Chief Minister’s vision of making Uttar Pradesh a one trillion-dollar economy,” he added.
To modernize the sector, the Minister advocated for the inclusion of new technologies such as Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS), integrated fish farming, and Biofloc systems. He encouraged fisheries entrepreneurs to adopt these innovations for intensive fish cultivation.
The review also covered major state and central schemes including the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, Mukhyamantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, Nishad Raj Boat Scheme, and the Fishermen Welfare Fund. Dr. Nishad directed that accountability be fixed for any lapses in implementation, and those failing to meet targets or deadlines would face strict action.
A key part of the meeting also focused on strengthening cooperative societies, establishing aeration systems for intensive aquaculture, issuing Matsya Kisan Credit Cards, and enhancing physical and financial progress under the state’s fishery welfare schemes.
Principal Secretary of the Fisheries Department, Mr. K. Ravindra Naik, provided a comprehensive briefing on departmental initiatives and assured full compliance with the minister’s directives. He also instructed officials to resolve complaints at the district level without delay and ensure that eligible individuals receive full benefits.
Other key attendees included Rajesh Prakash, Director General, Fisheries; M.S. Rahmani, Director; Chief General Manager, UP Fisheries Development Corporation Ltd.; and the Managing Director of UP Matsyajeevi Sahkari Sangh Ltd. Senior officers including all Deputy Directors, Assistant Directors, and CEOs of Fish Farmers’ Development Agencies were also present.
Dr. Nishad concluded by assuring that departmental challenges would be addressed proactively and emphasized that transparency, innovation, and timely implementation would be the cornerstone of the state’s fisheries growth roadmap.
