Dept prepared for ‘joint verification’
Kohima, July 29 (MExN): The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has stated in a rejoinder that the news item titled ‘Fish Production on the decline despite crores being pumped on fishery activities, alleges PDR’ that appeared on this newspaper’s July 28 edition was “factually incorrect.”
“It has been stated that the fish production declined from 8605 MT during 2016-17 to 8220 MT in the current fiscal year 2017-18. Whereas the actual fish production during 2017-18 stands at 8990.5 MT (as per the Annual Administrative Report 2017-18),” stated the rejoinder from Kevisa Kense, Director of Nagaland’s Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
The People for Democratic Rights (PDR) had earlier furnished a press release along with documents it obtained from the Finance Department on amounts sanctioned to the Fishery Department and quoted the Nagaland Economic Survey to make its claims.
“On the issue of potential areas developed by the Department, the current potential area developed stands at 3375 ha and not as stated,” noted the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in its rejoinder.
Further, “It is to be noted that fish production can only be achieved after completion of the project, therefore the question of the amount released to the Department for fishery development activities not commensurating the output production does not arise since the projects mentioned are ongoing and the Department is ready for any joint verification to substantiate the claim.”
While appreciating the PDR “in its endeavor to fight for the rights of the people,” the Director of the Department advised to “ascertain the actual facts from any concerned Department before making it public.”
Furthermore, “Without undermining the freedom of expression of any Individual or organization,” the Department appealed to the media to “ascertain the facts before publication.”
