Telangana: Delay in release of fingerlings hits fishermen in Mancherial, Asifabad

Delayed fingerling releases in Mancherial and Asifabad districts threaten fishermen’s livelihoods. Only 13 per cent of target seedlings have been released so far due to payment delays, impacting thousands of families dependent on fish cultivation for income

Mancherial: Release of fingerlings is being delayed for the second consecutive year, affecting the livelihood of fishermen in both Mancherial and Kumram Bheem Asifabad districts.

Mancherial district has 363 water bodies, including major, medium and minor irrigation projects and tanks. The Sripada Yellampalli, Sundilla, Annaram, Rallavagu and Gollavagu projects are among the main sources of fish cultivation. The district has 128 fishermen cooperative societies with around 7,500 members.

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Traditionally, tenders are invited in June and July, with about two crore fingerlings released in phases during August and September. This has enabled not only cooperative members but also hundreds of other fishermen to earn a steady income from the catch.

Last year, the process began only in November. Payment for fish seed was withheld from suppliers, citing alleged irregularities in past supplies. This year, only 13 per cent of the target seedlings have been released so far, as suppliers refused to supply further stocks due to prolonged payment delays.

Fishermen said that a delay of even a month in releasing the seedlings hampers their growth, warning that the current situation could devastate their livelihoods. They accused officials of failing to invite tenders and release fingerlings on time, citing one pretext or another for the second year running.

District Fisheries Officer R Avinash told Telangana Today that an action plan for rearing fish had been prepared and proposals sent to the government. “Guidelines on the size of the fingerlings will be communicated in a day or two. Steps are being taken to avoid delay in their release,” he said.

In Kumram Bheem Asifabad district, the process has been stalled for over a month. The district has 254 water bodies, including four major irrigation projects, supporting around 5,000 families directly and indirectly. Until 2022, about 1.50 crore seedlings were released annually, with each fisherman earning between Rs 25,000 and Rs 50,000 a year.

Mancherial
No of irrigation tanks: 363
Quantum of fingerlings: Rs 2.20 cr
No of fishermen to be benefitted: 7,500

Asifabad
No of irrigation tanks: 254
Quantum of fingerlings: Rs 1.45 Cr
No of fishermen to be benefitted: 2,500

Nirmal
No of irrigation tanks: 613
Quantum of fingerlings: Rs 4.70 Cr
No of fishermen to be benefitted: 12,200

Adilabad
No of irrigation tanks: 238
Quantum of fingerlings: Rs 1.23 cr
No of fishermen to be benefitted: 4,200