Godavari corporation moves to cancel fisheries department contracts; industry in turmoil

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

The Godavari Marathwada Irrigation Development Corporation has decided to take over fisheries contract management from the Fisheries Department, causing a stir among fish traders. Since 1966, the Fisheries Department has been regulating fishing contracts across 873 lakes in Marathwada. Now, as the Corporation moves towards autonomy from April 1, Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil has directed that the Corporation itself award fisheries contracts in the new financial year.

The Corporation sent a letter to the fisheries deputy commissioner's office to cancel all existing contracts. Currently, the Fisheries Department manages contracts across 117 lakes in the district, targeting 5,700 metric tonnes of fish production this year and providing employment to thousands. However, fisheries deputy commissioner Madhurima Jadhav stated that without any official government directive or resolution, acting on the Corporation's letter is not possible and contracts will not be cancelled.

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"The Godavari Corporation decided to regulate its own fisheries contracts and asked us to cancel existing ones. However, no government resolution has been received, nor has any official letter reached our department. Therefore, contracts will not be cancelled."

- Madhurima Jadhav, deputy commissioner, Fisheries Department

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"I have recently taken charge of CADA. I cannot comment at this moment on cancelling fisheries contracts or managing them independently."

- Bharat Shingade, Superintendent Engineer, CADA