Newmai News Network IMPHAL| OCTOBER 23 To protect Loktak Lake, the largest freshwater lake, and to provide employment opportunities to fish farmers and youths of Manipur, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh today launched the Loktak Livelihood Mission. The launching function was held at Ningthoukhong, Bishnupur district. The Chief Minister said that Manipur is spending about Rs 400 crore annually for procurement of fish from outside the state and assured that state would have self sufficient fish production by 2020. Farmers would be encouraged to take up pisciculture, he added. Altogether around 1000 hectares of land have been identified in areas like Mayang Imphal, Bishnupur, Wangoi and Thanga for fish farming, he added. With such cage culture farming, fishes would be matured and can be produced in three months, he added. The Chief Minister also spoke elaborately on the harmful effects of fertilizers and other chemicals on human health. He mentioned that prolonged usage of such chemicals and fertilizers were the main cause of various deadly diseases among the people of the state. Mentioning the advantages of organic fertilizers and vermicompost during farming, he said that it will benefit in two ways - cost effective and healthy living. He also said that Self Help groups would be formed in villages to prepare vermicompost and other organic fertilizers. Biren added that people of the state want a government that is result oriented and the present government is committed to fulfill the aspirations of the people and wouldn’t give any false promises. The government is committed to work at grassroots and uplift the lives of the poor people. The government has introduced various welfare programmes such as CHMT, CMST, and Start-up Policy etc. Encouraging the farmers and unemployed people of the state to apply Manipur Start-up Policy, the Chief Minister said that subsidized loans have been given to hundreds of unemployed youths, entrepreneurs recently. While delivering his Presidential address, Minister for CAF&PD Karam Shyam said that it is the bounden duty of the people of the state to protect and preserve Loktak Lake. Stressing on the Loktak Livelihood Mission, the Minister said that the farmers and unemployed youths should seize the opportunity. Mentioning various initiatives of the government, the Minister said that the Cabinet decision to institute Lok Ayukta in the state is a clear stand of the present government to bring transparency in governance and root out corruption.