In a setback to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s ambitious plan to ban the sale of fish, poultry, and meat in the open, the state finance department has delayed the implementation of a proposal to establish smart fish parlours in major cities of Bhopal. The initiative, part of the Mukhyamantri Machhua Samridhi Yojana, aimed to create hygienic and transparent fish-selling outlets, free from unpleasant odours and stray animals.
The proposal, with a modest budget of Rs 20 crore, intended to fund municipal bodies in setting up smart fish parlours across the state. Each parlour, costing Rs 5 lakh, was designed to provide clean and sanitary conditions for selling fish.
However, the finance department, in a circular issued on June 30, 2023, decided to put the scheme on hold, diverting funds towards government announcements and schemes leading up to the November 2023 assembly polls. Despite the relatively small budgetary requirement, the finance department cited the need to meet other financial commitments.
The Mukhyamantri Machhua Samridhi Yojana, valid for two years until the end of this financial year, could potentially be revived if the finance department gives the green light. Currently, work under the scheme has commenced in three cities—Hoshangabad, Tikamgarh, and Dhar—with funds already allocated for these locations.
