Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 22: Governor, N.N. Vohra, has sought a report by February 28, on the work done by the Horticulture Development Officers who have been designated as Insecticide Inspectors, consequent to complaints about the serious losses suffered by fruit growers on account of spurious and sub- standard pesticides.
The Raj Bhavan Spokesperson disclosed that the Agriculture Production Department has directed all the Horticulture Development Officers (HDOs) to also function as Insecticide Inspectors within their territorial jurisdictions and inspect the stores, godowns, retail shops etc as per the provisions of the “Insecticide Act, 1968” and send the collected samples to notified laboratories for analysis.
Further, the Directors of Horticulture of Kashmir and Jammu Divisions have also been directed to deploy HDOs at Lakhanpur, Lower Munda and at the Nagri Toll Post for inspection of the incoming consignments.
The Vice Chancellors of the SKUAST Kashmir and Jammu Universities have been asked to conduct a one day special Training Program for HDOs at their Universities in which Directors of Agriculture, Kashmir and Jammu Divisions; Directors of Horticulture of Jammu and Kashmir and Director Law Enforcement, J&K, will also participate. Director Law Enforcement, J&K, has been directed to coordinate the exercise of powers by all the concerned authorities and to submit a report in the matter.
Pertinent to mention here that during the discussions held by the Governor with members of the Civil Society and various trade organizations at SKICC in Srinagar on January 17, 2015, complaints had been made about the sale of sub-standard pesticides and insecticides in the market, which had damaged the fruit crops.
On that very day the Governor had directed Vice- Chancellor SKUAST-K to initiate immediate remedial action in consultation with the Horticulture Department.
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