Aizawl, May 25: Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh, popularly known as Lalan Singh, on Sunday chaired a Regional Review Meeting of the eight Northeastern states at the High Court Hall, MINECO, in Aizawl to review the progress of the region and implementation of various Central schemes related to fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying.
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| Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh addresses the Northeast Regional Review Meeting in Aizawl, Mizoram, during the inauguration of Mizo Café and launch of dairy and fisheries initiatives. (Image: DIPR Mizoram) |
The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying George Kurian, ministers in charge of fisheries and animal husbandry from Northeastern states, Joint Secretary of the Ministry Shri Sagar Mehra, Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying Shri Naresh Pal Gangwar, Secretary of the Department of Fisheries Shri Abhilaksh Likhi, Chairman of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) Shri Meenesh Shah, officials from the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and senior Central and state government officials.
Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for the development of the Northeast and stated that the Centre remained committed to strengthening fisheries, dairy and livestock sectors to accelerate economic growth in the region.
The Minister said fish production in the Northeast had increased from 3.78 lakh tonnes in 2014 to 7.05 lakh tonnes in 2025 under initiatives such as the Blue Revolution, Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PM-MSY).
He informed that the Central Government had allocated a total of Rs. 2,228 crore to Northeastern states for fisheries development between 2014 and 2025. The state-wise allocation included Assam receiving Rs. 614.11 crore, Arunachal Pradesh Rs. 246.03 crore, Manipur Rs. 236.41 crore, Meghalaya Rs. 240.32 crore, Mizoram Rs. 246.79 crore, Nagaland Rs. 209.49 crore, Sikkim Rs. 109.41 crore and Tripura Rs. 322.23 crore.
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Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh also announced that four out of 11 proposed Integrated Aquaparks in the country would be established in the Northeast region. He confirmed approval for a Rs. 50 crore Fish Marketing Center in Mizoram and invited the state government to submit proposals for additional fisheries infrastructure projects.
Highlighting the region’s potential in ornamental fisheries, coldwater fisheries and inland fisheries, the Minister stressed the importance of technology adoption, cold chain infrastructure, cooperative societies and livestock development. He also announced plans to establish an NDDB Regional Office in Guwahati.
During the meeting, ministers and officials from Northeastern states presented their achievements, future plans and challenges relating to fisheries, dairy and livestock sectors, while emphasising the need for infrastructure development, digital deployment, cold storage facilities and timely release of funds.
