By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The State Cabinet on Tuesday approved the ambitious Meghalaya Aquaculture Mission aimed at enhancing fish production in the State.
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday after the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma informed that the Meghalaya Aquaculture Mission would be launched on March 5.
It may be mentioned the State Government is intending to cover a total water area of 10,000 hectares, averaging around 20,000 fish ponds every year under the aquaculture project.
“This programme would generate employment opportunities for the people,” Dr Sangma told reporters after the meeting.
He also informed that the total estimated cost of the project would be Rs 1134 crore and funds are derived from the State plan.
VAT amendment: The State Cabinet has approved the amendment of the Meghalaya Value Added Tax wherein the amount of VAT would be calculated at the bonded ware house and not at the bottling plant.
According to Dr Sangma, the CAG has also observed that there is no reason to feel that there would be loss of revenue if VAT is enforced at the bonded ware house since the State was sourcing the Indian Manufactured Liquor (IML) bottles from bottling plants located outside Meghalaya.
