Fisheries sector plays an important role in the Indian economy. It contributes to the national income, exports, food and nutritional security as well as the employment generation. The sector provides livelihood for more than 2.8 crore fishers and fish farmers at primary level and several more along the fisheries value chain. It is also a major source of income for a large proportion of the country's economically disadvantaged population.

In order to consolidate the sectoral gains and sustain the rapid growth of the fisheries sector, the Government of India since 2014 has ushered in transformational changes/reforms through multi-pronged strategies and focused interventions in the areas of fish production and productivity, technology infusion, strengthening and modernization of infrastructure, boosting domestic consumption and exports, growth of entrepreneurship and employment etc. with welfare of fishers and fish farmers at the core. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) (2020-21 to 2024-25) was launched at an investment of Rs. 20,050 crorewith the central government share of Rs 9407 crore.

Till date, under PMMSY, projects worth Rs 14,654.67 crore have been approved from 2020-21 to 2022-23. Nearly ~73% of the envisaged investment has been achieved so far. Similarly, against the total outlay of central share of Rs 9,407 crore, central share of Rs 6,140.82 crore has been approved from 2020-21 to 2022-23.

As PMMSY enters its fourth year of implementation, the Department plans to expedite the pace of implementation. For this, the Department has planned to conduct States/UTs’ review meetings under the Chairmanship of Shri Abhilaksh Likhi, OSD, DoF (GoI) from 21^st to 24^th June’23. The discussion in review meeting focusses around State Annual Action Plan 2023-24, utilisation of central funds, release of State share, SNA related issues and implementation strategy for categorised projects from 1^st July 2023 to 31^st March 2024.

The first review meeting in the series was held on 21st June with the North Eastern Region (NER). Concerned NER state fisheries’ officials attended the meeting and interacted with the senior officials of DoF (GoI). Development of fisheries at NER receives special attention from NitiAyog as well as Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region. Under PMMSY, project worth Rs 958.26 crore have been sanctioned with central share of Rs 525.28 crore (FY 2020-21 to FY 2022-23). The NER has achieved 72% of its total envisaged investment (Rs 1331 crore) and 68.39% of the allotted central share (Rs 768 crore). It is pertinent to note that no such specific allocation has been done for NER states before 2014. The sanctioned activities comprised of new ponds, integrated fish farming, ornamental fisheries, biofloc, RAS, hatcheries, brood banks, feed mills, etc.

As per the meeting agenda, financial and physical progress was discussed. It was highlighted that all states should expedite grounding and implementation of approved activities/projects andensure submission of Utilisation Certificates (UCs) forrelease of next instalment of funds. In addition, in order to fulfil SNA compliance, all states were urged to transfer the deficit amount from State treasury to SNA along with regular submission of important reports of Monthly Progress Report (MPR), PRAYAS and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

States were informed that State Annual Action Plans have been reviewed by the Project Appraisal Committee (PAC) and projects have been moved for further action or revision. Further, States were appreciated for clearing 100% central liabilities for all projects approved in FY 20-21.States like Assam and Manipur were appreciated for their good physical progress and filling up beneficiaries information on MIS.

In order to facilitate access to institutional credit byfishermen and fish farmers for meeting their working capital requirements, the states were encouraged to mobilise beneficiaries for filling KCC applications.

The state officials put forth the on-ground issues and challenges for discussion and resolution while ensuring to constantly work on improving grounding of projects and exhibit promising improvements in due course of time.

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SS