Jiribam Fishery Farm for namesake

IMPHAL, May 18: The public and local clubs of Jiribam sub division have expressed dissatisfaction with the conditions of the largest government fishery farm, Kuti-Khong existing in name and lying near defunct.

The largest government fishery farm known as Kuti Khong located at Dibong Khunou in Jiribam Sub-division has not functioned as a fishery farm for a long time. Earlier, the farm produced fishes according to the season and generated income with the chowkidar looking after the farm which had adequate fencing. But today the fish farm remains in a near desolate state with nobody looking after it. The office was found locked up when a visit was made for collecting information about the critical conditions of the farm while the chowkidar who has his quarters near the office was not available.

Villagers of Dibong Khunou disclosed that there are some staff in the fishery office who attend office off and on but are not seen discharging their duty. The villagers in fact want the government to allow the local bodies or clubs to use the fish farm under the terms of lease so that it will not only generate income but give the people the opportunity to get take up pesiculture.

Villagers further said that the Jiribam fishery farms will improve and will be able to generate income very well if the concerned authority looks after it the way Fishery Minister and concerned officials make all possible efforts to improve the fishermen and a few fishery farms in the heart of Imphal.