Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 22: Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture Raman Bhalla today said that the Fruit and Vegetable (F&V) markets coming up at Rs. 2.22 crore over an area of 20 kanal 6 marla land at Bishnah would be completed with all infrastructural facilities within six months.
The Minister was addressing a large gathering of Fruit and Vegetable marketers at an awareness camp organized by Horticulture (Planning and Marketing) Department, here today.
Member Legislative Assembly Bishnah Ashwani Sharma, Director Horticulture (Planning and Marketing) A R Natnoo, Managing Director, J&K HPMC Syed Rafiq Ahmed Furahi, besides other senior officers of the department were present on the occasion.
Bhalla called upon the executing agency to complete all the allied works of the project within six months so that the place meet the desired purpose at the earliest. He said Government has planned to set up fruit and vegetable mandies at all potential areas of the State so that the farmers could get marketing facilities at their doorsteps.
The Minister said the Government has also approved Rs. 4.78 crore for face lifting of Phase-I and Phase-II mandies at Narwal. He said the places would be developed with modern line basic amenities like improved power, safe drinking water, better roads, besides toilet blocks. He said Government has also earmarked Rs. 70 lakh for construction of auction platform in vegetable mandi, adding that the project is nearing completion and would be dedicated to the traders shortly.
Mr Bhalla asked the officers to motivate the growers and traders to ensure that quality fruit and vegetable were brought to the market, adding that in this era of competition the quality control is must.
Calling for well-knit and coordinated efforts to achieve the targets, the Minister asked the officers to put in their best efforts to enhance the business activities in their jurisdictions to improve the State’s economy further. He stressed for regular interaction between the officers and traders to sort out the petty issues and problems being faced by the business community associated with this trade.
The Minister also inspected the ongoing construction work on the mandi at Bishnah and directed the executing agency to complete the project in double shifts by constructing auction shed, toilet block, provision for safe drinking water, G-set, besides better road connectivity.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA Ashwani Sharma stressed for exploring new markets to promote state’s horticulture produce. He said horticulture is the mainstay of the state economy and all out efforts will be made to promote this vital sector.
Earlier, Bhalla kick started construction work of lanes and drains at Menia Mohallah in Trikuta Nagar, for which Government has earmarked Rs. 11 lakh. He asked the executing agency to complete the project within stipulated time frame by using quality material.
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