Excelsior Correspondent
SOPORE, Dec 26: Minister for Horticulture and Housing, Raman Bhalla reviewed ongoing works in Sopore Fruit Mandi today.
Speaking on the occasion, Bhalla said that inclusion of 100 kanals of land in the fruit mandi which is spread over 400 kanals of land is a big achievement. He said 600 shops in the mandi have already been allotted to the locals to boost the economic and trade activities in the area. He said that Government has formulated a comprehensive scheme for providing cold storage facilities to the fruit growers across the valley.
The Minister visited the area where 175 shops are being constructed. He directed the concerned agency to construct the shops with same designs. He asked the concerned to ensure adequate water and power supply inside the mandi besides sanitation in and around the mandi.
Mr. Bhalla directed the Horticulture authorities to curb the distribution of sub standard pesticides and fertilizers. He asked the authorities to organize the awareness camps for the fruit growers to give fillip to the Horticulture sector in the state.
Later, Fruit Growers Association, Sopore presented memorandum of demands to the Minister which includes supply of potable water, macadamization of mandi roads, parking facility for vehicles in Bagh-i-Sunder, proper drainage system and cold storage facilities inside mandi and curbing supply and distribution of sub standard fertilizers and pesticides. The Minister gave them patient hearing and assured them that all the basic facilities would be provided to the fruit growers inside the mandi.
The Minister was accompanied by Director Horticulture department Kashmir, Joint Director Horticulture Kashmir, General Manager JKHPMC and President Fruit Growers Association, Sopore.
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