Govt, Falcon Group sign MoU to set up 26 ‘CHILIKA FRESH’ Kiosks at BBSR

Odisha Govt on Friday signed a MoU on Jagatjore Shrimp Culture Project with Falcon Marine Exports Pvt. Ltd for setting up 26 Chilika Fresh outlets at different parts of Bhubaneswar. Subal Mohanty, MD, FISHFED and Tara Patnaik, Head of Falcon Marine Exports Ltd were the signatories.

MoU has been signed in the presence of the Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Sri Pradeep Maharathy, MLA, Bhubaneswar North Sri Priyadasi Mishra, MLA, Bhubaneswar Middle Sri Bijay Mohanty, Mayor, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Ananta Narayan Jena, President of FISHFED Sri Prasad Dora and Commissioner-cum- Secretary Bishnupada Sethi.

Chilika Fresh is a concept promoted by Fisheries & ARD Department, Odisha to make available fish and fish products to the consumers in the most hygienic conditions.

The first outlet of Chilika Fresh was setup at Siripur Square, near OUAT and was inaugurated by the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on 26th September, 2014. Later on, another outlet has been opened at CRP Square. In these outlets, freshwater fish like Rohu, Catla, Mrigal, other Minor Carps, marine fish like Hilsha, Pomfrets, Mackerel, Bhekti (Sea-bass), Khainga (Mullets), Prawn, Crabs etc. are available at an affordable price.

It has been attempted to establish a direct linkage of the consumers with the primary fishermen through this initiative. Keeping in view the tremendous response of the urban consumers, it has been decided to open more such outlets in various parts of the States. On the request of FISHFED, an Apex Fisheries Cooperative Organization of the State, the GA Department has provided 26 numbers of sites to open Modern Fish Selling Chilika Fresh kiosks on PPP basis. Falcon Marine Exports Ltd. has been selected as the highest bidder to set up these 26 numbers of kiosks at Bhubaneswar.

FISHFED will get a rent of Rs.61.92 lakhs in the first year which will increase @ 6% per annum for a period of 15 years. It is worth mentioning that Govt. of Odisha has adopted a Comprehensive Fisheries Policy, 2015. Besides emphasizing on increasing production and productivity, it also aims at providing healthy, hygienic and nutritious fish and fish products at an affordable price to the consumers. With this initiative, better linkages with the Primary Cooperative Societies will be established. This initiative is first of its kind in the country.