KCR to launch fisheries scheme today

The Rs 1,000-crore Integrated Fisheries Development Scheme (IFDS) of Telangana State government is all set to be formally launched by Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao here on Wednesday.

Of the Rs 1,000 crore, the government will spend Rs 856 crore while Rs 144 crore will be the share of costs of various inputs to be provided at highly subsidised rates to the beneficiaries.

The scheme aims at providing various inputs such as supply of fish seeds and construction of landings for boats and the catch near lakes, tanks and reservoirs at 100 per cent subsidy. It also includes providing at 75 per cent subsidy high quality nets, two-wheelers and luggage autos, vehicles for mobile shops for selling fish as well as insulated vehicles for transportation of the



catch.

The Chief Minister, on Wednesday, will launch the programme at People’s Plaza abutting Hussainsagar at 2 pm, according to a press release from the government. Nearly 5,000 fishermen from different districts are expected to attend the event where two fishermen families who lost their breadwinners in accidents will receive an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each.

The Integrated Fisheries Development Scheme further includes providing subsidies ranging from 80 per cent to 90 per cent for setting up of kiosks to sell fish and fish products and boats. Also included in the scheme are construction of hatcheries for raising fingerlings, setting up of fish feed manufacturing units, processing and ice manufacturing plants at 75 per cent subsidy.