Minister of State for Sports and Fisheries Pramod Madhwaraj has said that his Ministry was contemplating inviting experts from Thailand for promoting inland fisheries in the State. Addressing presspersons here on Tuesday, he said that experts from Thailand would be invited here and their suggestion taken on how this industry could be developed for higher employment and revenue. Inland fisheries has tremendous potential but unfortunately we have not tapped it properly. The Ministry wishes to give the required boost to it, he said. Mr. Madhwaraj said that while the annual turnover from inland fisheries in the State was Rs. 8 crore, it could be augmented to at least Rs. 100 crore. For which we need the right guidance and the right technology, and we hope the experts from Thailand would help us, he said. Admitting that his Ministry often received complaints that the officials do not release the quantum of fish in tanks as they claimed to have done, Mr. Madhwaraj said that the government has directed the officials to videograph the release of fish into ponds or lakes. It is not possible to keep track of these people, they simply give a big figure and we have no choice but to believe them, he said. Earlier, he visited a mini aquarium near the district stadium. During a meeting, he said, he asked officials to start selling ornamental fish and containers from the place for common people instead of only showcasing fish. The government pays good salary to around six staff who maintain the aquarium; sale of fish, its feed and containers would generate some revenue. People could buy ornamental fish at an affordable rate instead of buying them from private pet shops at a higher price, he said and added that it is going to be the first of its kind government aquarium where fish and related products would be sold.
2016, The Hindu