Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today launched ‘Mukhyamantri Maschyajibi Kalyan Yojana (MMKY), having 16 programmes for fishermen. The scheme was launched on the occasion of World Fisheries Day today.
The government will spend Rs 448 crore for the fishing community this year.
Patnaik, while launching the scheme, said that the scheme was launched for the welfare and development of fishermen, and women self-help groups. He suggested the fishermen to take advantage of the scheme and contribute to the prosperity of the country and the state.
“Our state has abundant water resources. Our goal is to utilize water resources for economic development is our goal. The prime objective of the scheme is to increase fish production, create employment opportunities, and empower women and above all to develop the economy of the state,” the CM said.
He further informed that the Mukhyamantri Maschyajibi Kalyan Yojana will be implemented in 5T model.
More than 11,000 women self-help groups, 50,000 fish farmers and more than 1 lakh fishermen will get the benefit.
Highlighting the improvement in fisheries in the state, the Chief Minister said that fish production has increased four times in the last 20 years. Marine fish exports have reached Rs 4500 crore. Patnaik said that Odisha is the first state in the country to bring Odisha Fisheries Policy-2015 and Odisha Reservoir Fisheries Policy-2012 to increase fish production. The State became self-reliant in the production of fish oil today, he said.
Attending the event, Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Department Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain said that Naveen Patnaik is a people’s Chief Minister, who devises new plans for the welfare of the people. The MMKY scheme would help transform the state’s fisheries sector, Swain asserted.
Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena, Development Commissioner Anu Garg, Cooperation Secretary Aravind Agrawal, OUAT Chancellor Prof. Pravat Kumar Raul and other senior officials were present in the program.
Collectors and fishermen in various districts also took part via video conferencing.
