Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Feb 1: The delay over transfer of land by Revenue Department to Science and Technology Department of the State has created impediments in setting up of the much talked about Technology Park at Ghatti in Kathua district.
The project was conceived by Dr Jitendra Singh Union Minister of State in PMO with independent charge of North Eastern States, soon after he was given the charge of Ministry of Science and Technology in May last year and he also laid foundation stone of the Park later in October so that it will be established in the shortest period of time.
According to highly placed sources, the land for the project was also identified at Ghatti, Kathua by the State Government and the Revenue Department had in principle agreed to allot the same to Department of Science and Technology but no headway has been made in this regard till date delaying the process for setting up of about Rs 100 crore Technology Park at Kathua.
Sources said the lack of interest by the previous State Government has delayed the initiation of process in this regard. Even a meeting which was to be held by SIDCO chief, Director Industry and Director IIIM three days back to take a decision on allotment of land to Science and Technology Department for establishment of the Technology Park at Kathua could not take place for unknown reasons, sources added.
However, Dr Jitendra Singh when contacted said that the issue has been taken up with the Governor N N Vohra and he (Governor) is himself keen in establishment of the Technology Park. Dr Singh expressed the hope that the Revenue Department will transfer the land to Science and Technology Department soon so that the work on Technology Park can be started as early as possible.
He said it will be first such park in the State of J&K and if State Government cooperates fully it will be established within a year.
Sources said after the announcement of Technology Park by Union Government for Kathua, people from Kashmir valley also demanded that one such park be set up in Valley and Centre approved this project also.
The land for this project was also identified at Ompora, in district Budgam of Kashmir valley but the same could not be transferred to the Revenue Department as the Aviation authorities raised the objections on the pretext that the land was in the vicinity of Srinagar Airport, sources added.
The total cost to incur on two projects was from Rs 150 to 200 crore tentatively and the funds for the same would be provided by the Central Government, sources said.
Sources said that the technology parks would prove a boom for the agriculture in the State as it would have multifold advantages. The highlights of the Technology park besides elite plant development in special tissue culture for growth of new aromatic plants, it will help in employment generation, marketing as well as revenue generation and provide industrial skill and technical know how to the farmers, sources added.
While the infrastructure for the technology parks was to be provided by the State Government the other technical know -how was to be provided by Government of India. While GoI is ready to provide funds and other technical know -how, the State Government has failed to provide the land for the project delaying its establishment, sources added.
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