Minister for Horticulture Syed Basharat Ahmed Bukhari, today directed Secretary Horticulture Manzoor Ahmad Lone to take up a thorough review of all departmental court cases to expedite their disposal.Secretary, Department of Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs Abdul Majid Bhat was also present in the meeting.While asking for an early action to dispose-off all pending cases, the Minister directed the Secretary, Horticulture to take up outside of court settlement of genuine cases at the departmental level. He said that these measures will remove legal blockades so that the department can fulfill its mandate as a facilitator for fruit growers/farmers.The Minister asked to take up complicated cases that need to be contested in court for early disposal based on its merits”, adding that the development efforts should not be hampered due to delay in follow up of these cases by the department.
The Minister also took up elaborate discussion on various employee welfare concerns with the Secretary and directed for taking up a pro employee approach besides creating favorable working atmosphere at all levels.Taking up the issue of DPC of Non Gazetted employees, the Minister directed the Secretary to pass necessary directions to the concerned executing authorities i.e., Director Horticulture Jammu, Director Horticulture Kashmir and Director Planning and Marketing to sort issues causing delay in the same in a speedy manner.The Minister also enquired regarding the delay in release of grade and charge allowances to the employees. He directed to sort out issues so that employees get these allowances, besides clearance from DPC at the earliest.