Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 19: Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura today chaired a joint meeting of officers of Agriculture, Command Area Development Department, Horticulture, Irrigation, Animal Husbandry and Rural Development Department for synchronization of different schemes under convergence plan.
Director Command Area Development Department Manisha Sharma, Director Rural Development Department Pardeep Kumar, Director Agriculture Sudesh Kaul, Supertending Engineer REW Rajesh Gupta besides other senior officers of Agriculture, Command Area Development Department, Horticulture, Irrigation, Animal Husbandry and Rural Development Department were present on the occasion.
Addressing the meeting, the Minister said that there is a need for a vision document for identification of components and pattern of sharing joint meetings at district levels for convergence plan of the projects under MGNREGA. He directed for desilting and renovation of irrigation channels for free flow of irrigation water. He asked for upgradation of Agriculture Department, Horticulture and Sericulture Department nurseries. He directed for construction of water harvesting tanks, vermicompost units, construction of godowns under various centrally sponsored schemes like RKVY and NMSA.
Stressing on time bound implementation of schemes, the Minister directed for timely submission of project-wise Utilization Certificates (UCs) to pave way for speedy and effective implementation of various Centrally-sponsored Schemes (CSS). He directed the executing agencies to ensure successful completion of all CSSs within the stipulated timelines so that people, who are the real stakeholders, get tangibly benefitted.
Hanjura directed the officers to provide all facilities to the farmers for increasing production in the State. He directed the concerned officers to work shoulder to shoulder with the farmers and make sure that the current situation and weather changes do not affect the crop production.
The Minister directed the concerned officers to conduct regular field visits and take adequate steps to generate mass awareness about the programmes being implemented for welfare of the farmers.
Meanwhile, Minister said that “Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana” (PMFBY) would be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir from next year.
Highlighting other steps being taken in the State to boost agriculture sector, he said the agriculture produce and the Mandies would be made a regular feature in all agriculture dominant areas. He said Government would also explore the possibility to create cold storage facilities at fruit and vegetable mandies.
Hanjura was addressing a gathering after inaugurating work of the Pargwal Canal Command project here at block Pargwal, Chhamb. The project has been taken up under ‘Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).
The Minister was accompanied by Vice chairman Kisan Advisory Board, Daljit Singh Chib, MLA Chhamb Dr. Krishan Lal Bhagat, Director CAD and Director Agriculture.
The project being developed at a cost of Rs 15.35 crore would cover a culturable command area of 2860 hectares spread over 6 panchayats and 26 villages of block Khour and Tehsil Akhnoor. The project aimed at to increase water use efficiency by improving conveyance system from out let to field is scheduled to be completed within a three year time frame.
While addressing the gathering, the Minister said that Government is committed to give high priority to water security through effective implementation of ‘Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) to ensure ‘Har Khet Ko Paani’.