SHIMLA-10 November, 2026

State Government to strengthen fisheries sector through Risk Fund for Trout Farmers and Minimum Support Price for Reservoir Fish

The State Government has approved two ambitious schemes to strengthen the fisheries sector and safeguard the economic interests of fish farmers and fishermen by introducing the Risk Fund for Trout Farmers and Minimum Support Price (MSP) mechanism for reservoir fish. These initiatives aim to provide financial security to trout farmers affected by natural calamities and ensure remunerative prices to reservoir fishermen, thereby improving their livelihoods.

Under the Risk Fund for Trout Farmers scheme, a corpus of Rs. one crore has been provided by the State Government to extend financial assistance to registered trout farmers who suffer losses due to floods, cloudbursts, landslides and other natural calamities. Farmers will be required to contribute an annual subscription of Rs. 500 to avail the benefits of the scheme. Eligible farmers will receive compensation of Rs. 25,000 per raceway for the complete loss of 2,000 or more fingerlings/yearlings, with proportionate compensation for lesser losses. The maximum assistance will be limited to two raceways, subject to an overall ceiling of Rs. 50,000 per beneficiary. The claims will be verified through field-level inspections and scrutiny by a State-level committee, while the approved compensation will be transferred directly to beneficiaries' Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.

In another major initiative, the State Government has introduced a Minimum Support Price of Rs. 100 per kilogram under Mukhya Mantri Machhuara Sahayata Yojna for reservoir fish to protect fishermen from market fluctuations and distress sales. If fish is sold through the authorized auction system below the stipulated MSP, the Government will provide a subsidy upto Rs. 20 per kg. The subsidy will be transferred directly to eligible fishermen through Direct Benefit Transfer. The scheme, fully funded by the State Government, is expected to benefit approximately 6,000 to 6,300 active licensed reservoir fishermen annually across the State.

The State Government had also launched Mukhymantri Machhuara Samman Nidhi Yojna in the State under which Rs. 3500 annually was being provided to fishermen during the annual fishing ban period imposed for conservation and breeding of fish. This financial assistance has provided social security to fishermen engaged in reservoir fisheries across the State.

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the State Government is committed to strengthening the rural economy by extending meaningful financial support to farmers, fishermen and other traditional livelihood groups. He said that these initiatives reflect the government's resolve to protect the interests of people associated with the fisheries sector and ensure that they receive adequate financial security against unforeseen losses and market uncertainties. He added that the Risk Fund would provide much-needed relief to trout farmers facing losses due to natural disasters, while the MSP mechanism would ensure better returns to reservoir fishermen.

The Chief Minister said that the government is working with a focused approach to make Himachal Pradesh self-reliant by strengthening traditional economic activities and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities. He said that the fisheries sector has immense potential for employment generation, rural prosperity and income enhancement, particularly in the state's reservoir and high-altitude regions. He reiterated that the government would continue to introduce farmers and fisherman-friendly initiatives to strengthen the sector, improve economic opportunities and ensure inclusive development across the State.

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CM mourns death of senior journalist

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has mourned the death of Arun Dogra, senior journalist of Bilaspur district who passed away at AIIMS Bilaspur last night.

The Chief Minister said that Arun Dogra upheld the ethics of journalism while performing his professional duties. He said that he worked with impartiality, devotion and dedication, making a significant contribution to the society through his journalism career. He said that with the demise of Arun Dogra, the journalistic fraternity has lost an experienced, devoted and sensitive journalist. He said that he stands in solidarity with the bereaved family members in this hour of grief.

Sh. Sukhu prayed to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.