The Lt. Governor, A&N Islands, Prof. Jagdish Mukhi laid the foundation stone for construction of Modern Fish Market, Mohanpura by unveiling the plaque at Fish Market, Mohanpura here this morning. The Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Anindo Majumdar, PBMC Chairperson, Shri B. Eswar Rao, newly elected PBMC Chairperson, Shri IP Singh, Secretary, Fisheries, Shri Ramesh Verma and Ward Councilor, Smti E. Rani were present on this occasion. Addressing the gathering, the Lt. Governor said, the foundation stone laying ceremony for Modern Fish Market at Mohanpura today is another landmark event for the Department of Fisheries. The Lt. Governor further informed that in order to meet the growing needs of the tourists visiting the Islands, the Administration has taken steps to construct 150 tented accommodations in different parts of the Islands which will be ready by October 15. He also highlighted about the Bed & Breakfast’ scheme of the Tourism Department and stated that many Islanders have come forward and have registered themselves and are opening up their homes to the tourists. The concept of Home Stay’ is quite alluring and tourists love to spend time with families and this way they will get to experience the culture and tradition of the Islands, he said, asking the Islanders to make best use of the bed & breakfast scheme. Speaking about the Fisheries sector, the Lt. Governor stated that the Department of Fisheries is making remarkable progress. There is a need to strengthen the Fisheries Sector by ensuring that required facilities are made available to the fisher folk community. He also informed about the Junglighat Modern fish Market which will soon be inaugurated. Besides the construction of Modern Fish Market, facilities for storage of fish such as Ice Plants, Fish Landing Centres are also being looked into by the Fisheries Department. Speaking on the occasion, the Member of Parliament informed about the approval of the Administration for implementation of 1/30th pay+ DA for the DRMs in various Departments and revision of minimum wages for employees working in different schedules of employment (skilled, semi skilled and unskilled). He thanked the Lt. Governor for ordering the implementation of 1/30th pay+ DA for the DRMs in various Departments and revision of minimum wages. He also lauded the Department of Fisheries for meeting the various demands of the fishing community and said with two modern fish markets one each at Junglighat and Mohanpura, the fish vendors will have hygienic environment which will benefit them to a great extent. In his address, the Chief Secretary said keeping in view the need of quality fish for the consumers, the Administration has proposed to construct two hygienic Fish Markets at Junglighat and Mohanpura. In this regard, the Department of Fisheries has approached National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad for architectural drawing and funding. The fish market at Junglighat is nearing completion, he said. Earlier, welcoming the gathering, the Secretary, Fisheries, Shri Ramesh Verma informed that the Department of Fisheries have constructed a modern fish market at Junglighat which is nearing completion and will soon be inaugurated. The programme concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by the Director, Fisheries, Dr. Utpal Kumar Sar.