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Fish sellers show their new ice box-fitted bicycles on Wednesday. (Pankaj Singh)
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It’s a fishy business that will ride on pedal power.
The Bokaro district fishery office on Wednesday distributed 31 new bicycles fitted with ice boxes to as many number of fish sellers of Chandankyari block under a national agriculture development plan that will allow them to sell fish door to door.
The initiative, aimed at making fish sellers financially strong and generate employment, kicked off with Chandankyari block and will eventually go on to cover the remaining 119 registered fish sellers of Chas, Jaridih, Kasmar, Petarwar, Gomia, Bermo, Nawadih and Chandrapura.
According to a notification earlier issued by the district authorities, all fish sellers of Bokaro would have to register themselves with the fishery department for getting bicycles and uniform. However, till now, 150 have registered.
“All registered fish sellers of nine blocks will get all facilities and necessary support to augment their income while fish co-operatives will receive big freezers at a subsidy,” said district fishery officer Shambhu Prasad said.
Raj K. Sahu, one of the beneficiaries, was elated. “I will be able to double my profit. The fish will also remain fresh,” the fish seller said.
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