Ghaziabad: The fisheries department has unearthed irregularities in grant of subsidies under the Centres Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Some scheme beneficiaries in Ghaziabad allegedly availed lakhs for projects, including recirculatory aquaculture system (RAS) for fish culture, pond rejuvenation, hatching, fish feed mills, etc., but did not execute them, revealed inspections. The department has now issued recovery challans to them and initiated an inquiry to ascertain officials role. According to officials, the financial irregularities could run into crores. So far, inspections have revealed three cases of beneficiaries availing the first instalment of the subsidy but not investing in the projects they took the money for, said Sanjay Kumar Nishad, the fisheries development minister with the state government, during a visit to the city on Monday.Under PMMSY, the central government offers subsidies to fish farmers for 33 fishery-related projects. Women and SC/ST beneficiaries get 60% of the total project cost, while those from the general category get 40%. The beneficiaries get Rs 7 lakh/hectare subsidy for pond rejuvenation, Rs 7.5 lakh for installing RAS, Rs 75,000 for ice-box and small fish meal. According to the rules, the department releases the first instalment of the subsidy after the project is 60% ready and the second instalment after onsite inspection when the project is ready. For the RAS project, a beneficiary from Chirauri village, Ramesh Kumar, availed subsidy of Rs 20 lakh but did not install the system, an onsite inspection showed, said Ashish Maurya, an official with the fisheries department.RAS involves water recycling for a high-density culture of various fish species, with minimum land, water, and fish meal use. Archana Srivastava, a beneficiary from Shaklapur village, also availed the subsidy for RAS but did not start work on installing it. Another beneficiary, Vishal Srivastava, availed a Rs 12 lakh subsidy for the small fish meal project, but onsite inspection revealed the project did not take off.We have issued recovery challans to the erring beneficiaries while ordering an investigation to trace more such beneficiaries. They will have to return the subsidy amount, along with 12% interest, said Maurya.The fisheries department under the Union fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying ministry has made an investment of Rs 20,050 crore to implement the PMMSY from financial year 2020-21 to 2024-25 for the upliftment of the fisheries sector.We also published the following articles recentlyRs 10 crore central subsidy for Maharashtra minister Vijay Kumar Gavits kin projectThe grant of a Rs 10 crore subsidy to Reva Tapi Valley Industrial Development, owned by Supriya Gavit, daughter of tribal development minister Vijay Kumar Gavit, is causing controversy in India. The subsidy was granted under a scheme drafted by the NDA government. Opposition leader Vijay Wadettiwar and MPCC general secretary Sachin Sawant have objected to the grant, calling it unethical and against the principles promoted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Minister Gavit denies any favoritism and claims that the project was selected on merit.16 lakh Ayushman cards issued to beneficiaries in Lucknow: KhannaThe BJP unit in Lucknow organized a blood donation camp as part of the Ayushman Bhav campaign, which aims to provide free health check-ups and distribute Ayushman cards to beneficiaries. The parliamentary affairs minister praised PM Modis welfare decisions and highlighted the success of initiatives such as Jan Dhan accounts and One Rank One Pension. He also emphasized the importance of the new education policy and its focus on the holistic development of children. The campaign aims to improve access to health schemes and promote preventive care and universal health insurance.Minister inspects fish landing centre workThe state environment and climate change minister in Trichy inspected ongoing works for the improvement of a fish landing centre in the Mayiladuthurai district. The project is being implemented under the Nabards Rural Infrastructure Development Fund at a cost of 18 crore. Construction of a boat docking yard and a seawall is underway to prevent coastal erosion. Dredging and desilting of the estuary will also be carried out soon.

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