Finance minister T Harish Rao today said that the government was planning to provide more benefits to the fishermen community.
Soon the government itself will buy the fish from the fishermen directly through the state federation, and help the fishermen avoid middlemen, Rao said.
The minister participated in fish-dropping programs at two places in Siddipet district along with Animal Husbandry and fisheries minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav.
Speaking on the occasion, the finance minister said that the federation would soon start to purchase the fish produce from the fishermen, and help the latter avoid selling their fish at cheap prices and incur losses.
The relevant officials were being directed to take action and make the necessary arrangements in this regard, the minister said.
Fisheries minister Yadav said that the KCR government was determined to help the fishermen develop further by offering them even more support.
The government planned to spend Rs 80 crore to drop about 93 crore fish in 30,000 lakes, water bodies and ponds, and Rs 25 crore to drop 10 crore prawns in 200 lakes, tanks and ponds across the selected districts, he said.
The last year the government had spent Rs 51.8 crore to drop 68.52 fish in 18,335 water bodies, and Rs 8.61 crore to drop 4 crore prawns in 93 lakes and ponds, he said, showing the enhanced determination of the government this year to help the community.
filed in:T Harish Rao, Social Welfare, Talasani Srinivas Yadav