Priya visits Narwal Mandi, interacts with traders

MoS Horticulture, Priya Sethi during a meeting with members of Jammu Fruit and Vegetable Traders Association on Sunday.
MoS Horticulture, Priya Sethi during a meeting with members of Jammu Fruit and Vegetable Traders Association on Sunday.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 17: Minister of State for Education, Technical Education, Culture, Tourism, Horticulture, Floriculture and Parks, Priya Sethi interacted with members of Jammu Fruit and Vegetable Traders Associations and listened to their issues.
The representatives of both the Associations also submitted a memorandum to the Minister mentioning issues pertaining to the development of Fruit and Vegetable Market Narwal.
Secretary Horticulture Department, M H Malik was also present on the occasion.
The issues raised by the representatives of both the associations mainly includes transfer of lease hold rights, review and remodelling of shops, revocation of ground rent and sanitation charges approved in board meeting, macadamization of all roads of market, maintenance of green belt park, establishment of food processing park, transport yard, water supply, sewerage/drainage system in Phase I & II, upgradation of power supply system, additional toilet complexes in the market, early completion of construction work of entrance gate of market, construction of canteen building, matador service and development of phase II of Fruit and Vegetable Market.
Threadbare discussions were held on issues raised by the representatives while, the Minister assured them that all their genuine demands would be met in a phased manner.
Responding to the demand of remodeling of shops and revocation of ground rent and sanitation charges, the Minister said that the issues will be taken up in the next board meeting.
On blacktopping of roads, the officers of concerned department were directed to speed up the work. The Minister directed the officers of Horticulture Department to prepare a plan for maintenance and development of Green Belt Park in the area.
To improve sewerage/drainage system in the market, Priya Sethi instructed the officers to prepare a project in this regard. She also directed them to identify the place for construction of additional toilet complex in the market. The Minister also directed the construction agency to expedite the work on entrance gate and complete it before August 15.
Further responding to the demands of representatives of fruit associations and fruit growers, the Minister said that Government would focus on giving big boost to the horticulture in the State, adding that all necessary initiatives would be taken in this regard.
Priya Sethi said that the Government will spend Rs 500 crore from the Prime Minister’s Development Package for the State on development of Horticulture sector.
Later, the Minister also visited Narwal Mandi to take stock of problems being faced by the traders.
During the visit, the Minister instructed the concerned officers to install adequate number of street lights in the Mandi and repair the defunct ones. She also directed them to ensure proper sanitation in and around the mandi area.
Among others, senior officers of Horticulture Department, president Jammu Fruit Traders Association, Rajesh Gupta, President Jammu Vegetable Traders Association Sham Langar and a large number of traders were present on the occasion.