RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday approved the amendments in the Fisheries Policy.

State Agriculture Minister Ravindra Choubey had revealed the changes to be incorporated in the new policy at fishermen’s conference to mark World Fisheries Day on Monday.

As per the amendment, ponds and irrigation reservoirs for fish farming will no longer be auctioned but will be given on lease for 10 years, an official communication said.

In allotment of pond and reservoir, priority will be given to fishermen groups and Fisheries Cooperative Society of traditional fishermen Dhimar, Nishad, Kenvat, Kahar, Kahra and Mallah in general area.

In Scheduled notified areas, it would be given to the Scheduled Tribes. It is to protect the demand and interest of the traditional fishermen community.

It says instead of a maximum one hectare in case of village pond, half hectare water area will be allotted to fishermen group and fishery cooperative society or fishermen.

In case of irrigation reservoirs, instead of four hectares, two hectares of water areas will be allotted on the basis of per member/per person.

The Cooperative Department was conducting the audit but from now joint teams of audit from Cooperative and Fisheries Departments will conduct it.

The gram panchayat will make the allocation up to 10 hectares average water area on lease for 10 years. The limit for District Panchayat is up to 100 hectares.

The Fisheries Department can give on lease up to 1,000 hectares and the water bodies in urban areas will be given by the urban body.