Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has announced that power will be supplied to the aquaculture sector at the rate of just ₹2 per unit for a year. It entails an additional burden of approximately ₹350 crore to the exchequer.
Addressing a review meeting with the aquaculture farmers and exporters at the Secretariat on Saturday, Mr. Naidu said the subsidised power supply was essential to incentivise the sector, which registered an impressive growth rate over the years.
He observed that the aqua sector was identified as a priority sector in view of its importance to the economy and various incentives were being given.
According to official sources, the existing power tariff for aquaculture sector is ₹4 per unit, including demand charges.
Word of caution
Mr. Naidu called upon the aqua farmers to do their bit for protecting the environment and adopt methods other than using antibiotics to combat bacterial diseases.
Traces of antibiotic residue could result in imposition of restrictions on exports, he cautioned.
He warned that doing aquaculture without registering the ponds would not be tolerated. Moreover, there was the danger of the Central government clamping a ban on such illegal farms.
Mr. Naidu said the aquaculture farmers should ensure that groundwater was not polluted, and instructed the exporters to adhere to the quality specifications.
He also suggested to the traders to export to new destinations where opportunities were abound.
The farmers sought establishment of quality testing laboratories at important places, to which the Chief Minister responded positively.
