Farmers’ Welfare on Top Most Agenda of the Govt: Reiterates Advisor
SNS KASHMIR
. BARAMULLA, MARCH 25:
Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Ahmad Khan today paid visit to Fruit Mandi Sopore where he met various fruit growers and other concerned stakeholders who appraised him about their issues and demands.
The advisor was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Bhupinder Kumar, Director Horticulture Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, MD JKHPM Shafat Sultan, ADC Sopore,SP Sopore,heads of various concerned departments, district and sectoral officers among other concerned functionaries.
On the occasion, President of Fruit Growers Association Sopore Fayaz Ahmad Malik appraised the advisor about his grievances/demands which include drinking water facility in the mundi, completion of Bagh-e-Sundri road, formulation of proper mechanism for protecting local farmers as fruits especially from Iran are entering the Indian markets without proper tariff, reduction of import duty on fruits exporting to Bangladesh. The president also demanded proper accommodation of fruit growers, testing lab for controlling spurious pesticides, land acquisition for the expansion of fruit mundi, establishment of cold storage, crop insurance among other demands of vital significance.
While reiterating that farmers’ welfare is on the top most agenda of the government, the Advisor said that every possible initiative is being taken to protect the interest of farmers. He assured that all the genuine demands shall be taken for their timely redressal adding that a proper mechanism shall be formulated wherein effective grading and packaging system of fruits shall be introduced in order to control erratic price fluctuation of horticultural produce. The advisor added that government is working on up gradation of basic infrastructure in fruit mundis so as to make them at par with standards of international markets.
Advisor further added that random inspection of pesticide dealers shall be carried out and strict legal action shall be taken against those involved in the sale of sub-standard pesticides and fertilizers.
Meanwhile, several other delegations called on the advisor who highlighted their issues and demands meant for the overall welfare of the area. The delegations who called on the advisor include Traders Federation Sopore, Civil Society Sopore, Civil Societies of Watergam and Dangiwacha among other prominent stakeholders of the society.
These delegations demanded Indoor Sports Stadium for Sopore, establishment of University Campus at Sopore, placement of officers in govt offices wherein positions have been left vacant, completion of CHC Dangiwacha, establishment of mother and child care hospital in the area, uninterrupted power supply during the schedule hours and also extended other demands of vital public importance.
The advisor gave a patient hearing of all the issues and demands and assured that necessary initiatives shall be taken for their timely redressal.
Earlier, the Advisor accompanied by the concerned officers inspects Govt run Apple Juice Plant situated at Mazbug area of Sopore where he took first hand appraisal of its functioning.
The advisor took inspection of various aspects associated with the Juice Plant wherein he directed to strengthen employment oriented activities in the plant so that more and more unemployed youth are motivated to take up entrepreneurship as a career option.
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