Govt to act tough against dealers selling sub-standard fertilizers: Hanjura

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 13:  The Government has decided to act strictly against the dealers found selling sub-standard fertilizers and other agricultural inputs to farmers.
“Strict action will be taken against the dealers indulging in mal-practices including  cancelling of license” Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura, while reviewing functioning of   department and the supply and stock of fertilizers at a meeting of officers of Agriculture, Sericulture and JK Agro departments.
The Minister took a detailed review of the availability of stock position of fertilizers, pesticides, seeds, utilization of funds under RKVY, besides implementation of saffron mission, vegetable initiative, national mission on protein supplements and other schemes. The establishment of agriculture malls at every district headquarters and utilization of mobile soil testing vans also came up for discussion.
The Comprehensive district agriculture plan-district Budgam was also discussed in detail.
Mr Lone also took a detailed appraisal of  status of draft gazetted and non-gazetted recruitment rules, departmental promotion committees, fixation of seniority, filing up of vacant Class-IV posts, cattle feed plantation, release of honorarium to Rehbar-i-Zirat.
The Minister directed the agriculture extension officers, Rehbar-i-Zirat and other field officers to conduct field visits and prepare tour diaries and submit weekly report to the concerned directors for onward submission to the personal section of the Minister for his perusal. He also asked the authorities to take cognisance in case of failure in compliance of directions on the part of officers, officials.
While discussing the Command Area related projects, the Minister asked the directors of the department to furnish utilization certificates to the concerned well in time.
Earlier, Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production Department Asgar Samoon and Vice Chancellor, SKAUST Jammu, Dr. P. K. Sharma briefed the Minister about the activities of Agriculture department and the varsity.