CM finds encroachment solution in fish farming

Delhi Cabinet on Wednesday decided to encourage fish culture to overcome encroachment activities over these water bodies situated under Gram Sabha land.

Briefing the media after the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said the decision was taken to curb encroachment.

“It has been noticed that the water bodies are being encroached by people resulting in reduction of natural sources of water and depletion of water table in Delhi.

“Pollution of these water bodies has also started because of opening of drains and sewerage lines into the water bodies. As a result, we have decided to encourage fish culture in these water bodies,” said Dikshit.

The Fisheries Unit of Development Department has identified 24 such water bodies in north-west district where fishing can be introduced, she added.

The Cabinet has decided to auction these water bodies for fish farming on approved terms and conditions which includes utilisation of ponds for only fish and fish seed of cultureable varieties, not to further hand over the pond to any other person, no modification in the existing structure in the water bodies and not to do any activity which is not in conformity with laws of environment.

The ownership of lands or ponds shall continue to remain with the gram sabha.
The Cabinet has also approved composition of the proposed auction committees which will conduct auctions observing all formalities by adopting either open auction or inviting sealed bids. Dikshit said the Cabinet has also given its nod to a proposal for setting up dialysis centres in public private partnership mode in some hospitals of Delhi.

“It is estimated that in Delhi, approximately 8,000 patients need dialysis at any point of time, including around 300 patients coming from outside Delhi.

“The present set up in hospitals is not sufficient and hence the decision of setting up of dialysis centers to provide the state-of-the-art dialysis facilities at affordable cost to patients,” said Dikshit.

Cashless facility

The Cabinet took the decision to enhance the limit of cashless facility and increase the number of empanelled hospitals for Delhi-based freedom fighters by adding 11 more super-specialty hospitals to the notified list of 25 empanelled hospitals in Delhi and NCR. The enhanced amount now stands at Rs 2 lakh from the previous Rs 1 lakh limit. Dikshit said the decision will help elderly freedom fighters to get the benefit of specialised treatment for various ailments.