Anantnag: Inaugurated in 2018, after expenditure of more than 50 lakh rupees, the supposedly modern and hygienic Fish Sale Centre here on the outskirts of Anantnag town still remains defunct, much to the dismay of the general public and private fish farm owners in the area.
The centre was mean to provide trout fish to residents of Anantnag district in a “modern” and “hygienic” way. The fisheries department spent 50 lakh rupees on the ambitious project and the centre was inaugurated amid much pomp and show on August 3, 2018.
It was inaugurated by Dr Asghar Hassan Samoon, the then Principal Secretary for Transport, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries.
The centre, unfortunately, has remained defunct since the very first day. “We have not had a single day of sale at the centre. I wonder why so much money was spent on it,” a source in the fisheries department told Kashmir Reader.
Another thing expected of the centre was it to become a market place for the local private fish farm owners.
“We have been anxiously waiting for it to open. It would have added to our business as we could have had an additional market place given the centre’s location and public access,” Khursheed Ahmad, a fish farm owner, told Kashmir Reader.
The locals and the private fish farm owners allege that the centre was constructed by some corrupt officials to mint money.
“Otherwise, what is the logic behind spending so much money and then leaving the centre like that?” the locals ask. “We still go to Kokernag or to the private fish farms to buy trout,” they said.
Kashmir Reader talked to Director Fisheries, Muhammad Amin, who said that he has advised his staff in Anantnag to start the centre from tomorrow (Thursday) and see what the public response to it is.
“Fish is a highly perishable item and there should be a proper market for it. We must not face a situation where we invest in the product and there are no takers. Still, I have asked my staff to open it from tomorrow and see what response they receive,” the director told Kashmir Reader.
Asked about the logic behind spending so much money on a project that is fetching nothing, the director said that it was aimed at providing trout fish to the general public on eve of festivals.
I agree with you.Thanks a lot.Very interesting!

Suhail A Shah