Patna, Sept. 26: Animal and fish resources minister Giriraj Singh took district fisheries officers to task today during a seminar on freshwater prawn and Indian major carp cultivation for not carrying out their duties properly.

Singh said: “The fish farmers are complaining about negligence. You (the officers) need to change your attitude towards them. They are not getting any information about the schemes run by the state government. It’s your duty to spread awareness.”

He added: “The government aims to increase fish production by three times but hatcheries for fish farming are not being provided to the farmers. We are providing the farmers subsidy but they won’t be able to utilise it without your help. Meet the farmers and train them on how to increase production with the latest technology. I will take harsh action against DFOs responsible if I hear complaints again.”

Singh also directed the officers to send him weekly reports.