Union Minister urges West Bengal to fast-track NFDB Registrations
Published: Aug 04, 2025
By TIOLCorplaws News Service
KOLKATA, AUG 04, 2025: UNION Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, alias Lalan Singh, on Saturday stressed on the necessity of West Bengal to bridge gaps in implementation of fisheries schemes, particularly the low registration of fish farmers with the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB).
At the Regional Review Meeting of the Department of Fisheries, held in Kolkata, the Union Minister pointed out that only a fraction of the State's 32 lakh fish farmers are currently registered, hindering their access to central benefits under the schemes like PM Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY).
The Minister emphasised on the untapped potential of inland fisheries in the state and called for better utilisation of traditional water bodies (pukurs), or pond, development of cooperative structures for fishers and creation of a robust processing ecosystem. Plans were also hinted at for the establishment of a developed dry fish cluster in West Bengal to boost the local employment and exports. Emphasising on the new technologies, he said, new technologies, better training facilities and revival of initiatives like artificial reefs are essential for sustainable growth. He announced that India is currently the world's second largest fish producer, having seen a 104% growth in fish production. He also mentioned that inland fish production in the last decade has grown by 142%, and stressed that the share of the said sector in fish exports needs to be improved.
Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, George Kurian and Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Government of India, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi were also present at the meeting. Both of them underscored the importance of institutional support, central-state coordination, and efficient delivery mechanisms for fisheries-related schemes.
The Regional Review Meeting, held in a city hotel focused on the progress of flagship fisheries schemes in the four eastern States of West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh. Presentations and briefings were made by senior officials from the Department of Fisheries, Government of India, and the participating State governments.
The session aimed to assess on-ground implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), Kisan Credit Card (KCC) and PM-MKSSY, while setting a roadmap for improved outcomes in the region.
