To review National Mission on Saffron 2016, action plan for the year 2016-17 under RKVY and progress on construction of Saffron Park at Pampore, Principle Secretary Agriculture Production Department, Sundeep Kumar Nayak today chaired a high level meeting of officers. Managing Director National Horticulture Board, Chief Engineer CPWD, Director Agriculture Kashmir, Chairman Spices Board, Chief Engineer M.E.D, Professor and Head of Saffron Research Centre from SKUAST-K, Mission Director National Mission on Saffron and other concerned Officers attended the meeting.Principle Secretary called upon the officers of C.P.W.D. and National Horticulture Board to speed up the construction work of Spice Park at Dussu, Pampore coming up a cost of Rs 23 crores, so that it is completed and handed over to J&K Government before project deadline of September 30, 2016. The spice park will be equipped with the Hi- tech machinery for processing, drying, grading, packing and marketing of saffron.
Principle Secretary impressed upon the officers of Mechanical Engineering Department for completing the targeted construction of 126 wells and lying out of pipes to provide sprinkle irrigation to saffron fields within the targeted period.The meeting was informed by C.P.W.D & National Horticulture board officers that civil works on construction of Saffron Park have been completed and internal works like ceiling, flooring, plumbing, electricity fitting are in progress and will be completed by September 15, 2016. Principle Secretary also directed PDD Department for installation of sub transmission and supply of electricity to Spice Park well in time.Meeting was informed that purchase of laboratory equipment & machinery for the processing unit is under tendering process and will be installed in due course. Principle Secretary also instructed Mission Director for deputing ten officials for training regarding handling, processing, grading & packing of Saffron.Principle Secretary emphasized on all the concerned officers to remove the bottlenecks and complete the project within the time frame set up by Government of India.