The state government’s plan of providing fresh fish supplies to city residents through mobile vans is set to get delayed. The government had planned to launch it from December, but the service is unlikely to be available before February. The delay, according to state government sources, is due to the Centre, which is supposed to provide half the cost of the vans that will sell the fish. Two vehicles, each costing around Rs 10 lakh, are to be bought. “The Centre is not releasing funds due to non-submission of utilisation certificate of some of the funds which it has issued in the past,” said an official in the state animal and fisheries resources department. “The necessary documents are being sent to the Centre.”The same vans will sell fish-based snacks in the evening hours. After the Centre releases funds, tenders would be floated. The winning bidders would have to bear half of the van cost and provide the manpower. “The fisheries directorate would help the entrepreneur in getting assured supply of fresh fish through fisheries cooperative societies,” the official said. If entrepreneurs do not show interest, the animal and fisheries department would provide the funds and manpower the start the service. “We are committed to start the service and at any cost it will be started latest by February next year,” said a senior official at the state fisheries directorate. According to the tentative plan, one van would be stationed somewhere between Gandhi Maidan and Patna station and the other one on Bailey road between Saguna Mor and Raja Bazaar.
2017 The Telegraph