Kohima, Sep 13 (PTI) To celebrate the country's Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Nagaland department of fisheries and aquatic resources (F&AR) on Wednesday distributed 20 motorcycles with ice boxes to unemployed youths to promote fish business.

MLA and advisor to the department, A. Pangjung Jamir, handed over the keys and documents during the ceremonial distribution held at the directorate as part of the centrally sponsored scheme – Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).

Also Read | Terrorists Infiltrating Through Nepal and Punjab To Disrupt Peace in Jammu and Kashmir, Says Army Commander Lieutenant Upendra Dwivedi (Watch Video).

Speaking on the occasion, Jamir said fish is an extremely perishable food commodity unless frozen and stored in deep freezers for which the department came with the idea to provide motorcycles with ice boxes to unemployed youths to encourage sustainable fish business.

He said the motorcycles with ice boxes can be used to supply fish in the interior areas where four wheelers cannot ply.

Also Read | Indian Air Force Receives First C-295 Transport Aircraft From Airbus in Spain: ‘A Stepping Stone for Atmanirbhar Bharat’, Says IAF Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari (Watch Video).

The department had distributed two motorcycles on a trial basis in 2020-21, said additional director of F&AR, Lotimenba.

Seeing the success of the trial, the department proposed for 20 motorcycles during 2022-23 and the Centre provided it under PMMSY, he said.

Fish-farmers and unemployed youths from all the districts of the state were selected as beneficiaries, said director of F&AR Rongsennungba. He said district officers would be constantly monitoring the beneficiaries so that the actual use is made lest the motorcycles would be confiscated.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)