The Minister for Horticulture, Syed Basharat Bukhari, today called for undertaking necessary steps for the holistic development of the Fruit Mandis of the State so that the growers get all the requisite facilities for selling and storing their produce.The Minister was speaking during a review meeting convened to discuss the initiatives being undertaken for upgradation and development of terminal, satellite and Apni Fruit Mandis of the State.Minister of State for Tourism and Horticulture Ms Priya Sethi was also present in the meeting. Secretary Horticulture M. H. Malik, Director Horticulture Planning and Marketing and other concerned officers attended the meeting.On the occasion, the Minister while asking the officers to speed up the process of upgrading and augmentation of the facilities in fruit mandis said that the horticulture produce is one of the main contributors to the GDP of the State and necessary measures would be undertaken to ensure that its produce increasing besides providing the requisite marketing facilities to the growers. He said that they should ensure that the bottle necks, if any, should be removed and the process of development of mandis speeded up.While referring to the further development of Narwal fruit mandi, he directed the officers to take up the issue of further expansion with the forest, revenue and Jammu Development Authorities so that the necessary measures can be undertaken. He also directed the officers to undertake the necessary steps for upgradation of the electric infra in the mandi by taking up the matter with the PDD department.Bukhari also directed the officers for creating cold storage facilities in the Narwal Mandi so that the produce of the horticulturists can be stored for further export to various mandis in the country. He also directed for creating grading / sorting sheds and spaces for the farmers and growers coming from far-flung areas.He further directed for creating state of art public utilities for the people so that they do not face any inconvenience. He also asked the officers for constructing a canteen and other related facilities maintaining that the special emphases should be done on giving quality services to the people.The Minister emphasized the officers to undertake the renovation of the Kissan Ghar at New Delhi. He also called for maintaining a close liaison with the horticulturists and growers so that they can be provided with necessary information about the various new trends being adopted globally in selling the horticulture produce.The Minister of State for Horticulture, Ms. Priya Sethi also spoke on the occasion and called for speeding up the pace of work on various mandis being constructed in different districts of the State.