TNI Bureau: With the aim to further empower the fishermen communities and women Self-help Groups (SHGs) of the State, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the Mukhyamantri Matsyajibi Kalyan Yojana (MMKY).

While launching the scheme, Patnaik allocated Rs 448 crore that will be spent for 16-programmes of the scheme during this financial year.

While speaking on the occasion, Naveen said that the scheme’s primary objective was to increase fish production and create employment opportunities in the sector which will also bring economic development. Over 11,000 SHGs, 50,000 fish farmers and more than one lakh fishermen will get benefit from the scheme.

The CM also said fish production in the state has gone up four fold in the past 20 years and the marine exports have reached Rs 4,500 crore.

Naveen said that the Mukhyamantri Matsyajibi Kalyan Yojana will be implemented under the 5T policy of the State government.