Over the years the youth here have not shown any interest in fish farming and look for establishing small businesses in the state, which does not offers corporate openings and have only limited government jobs. The Department of Fisheries’ claim that various Centre-sponsored schemes are absorbing youth in different jobs proves hollow as many schemes have not even started. The state government’s recent directive to the department to explore viability of using various waterlogged areas for fish farming and other tourism-related activities has not been adhered. Denying allegation, Director, Fisheries, RN Pandita said the department was identifying abandoned ponds in rural areas to use them for fish farming. Though in urban settings, most of the ponds either have been filled up or encroached upon, but those in the rural areas are being taken up by the department for fish stocking by giving the authority of their upkeep to village committees. Besides, earnings made by selling the produce also remain with the panchayat that distributes it to workers engaged from the village, said RN Pandita. Pandita said in the rural areas of Jammu, the work was in progress, but in the Valley, it could not be taken up due to many unavoidable circumstances. Anil Sharma, sarpanch, Jindrah, 35 km from here, said the village had small and big ponds that remain full with water throughout the year, but were not being used for fish farming. As per the department, besides many schemes for promoting fish farming and trading, the blue revolution is about integrated development of fisheries. This scheme is purely based on breeding of trout in Kashmir and carp in Jammu. 58 ponds and water bodies have been identified in the state to promote the scheme wherein a national scheme of providing low-cost housing to fishermen has been included, said Rajiv Bhushan, Deputy Director, Planning, Department of Fisheries. Bhushan said the proposal of the scheme, which would run on 80:20 funding from the Centre and state, had been submitted to the Central government and the approval was expected within 15 days.