Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura consults progressive farmers on budget initiatives for agriculture sector
‘Govt working on various initiatives to give flip to farming sector’
5 Dariya News
Jammu 22-Nov-2016
Minister for Agriculture, Mr. Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura Tuesday said the Government headed by Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti is alive to the problems of the farmers and it is committed to provide every possible support to improve the socio-economic status of the community. The Minister was speaking at an interactive session with the progressive farmers of Jammu division to discuss various agri-specific proposals to be incorporated in the upcoming state budget. The interaction was organized by the Department of Agriculture at Krishi Bhawan, Talab-Tillo, Jammu.The Minister said the State Government has already launched several flagship programmes including Soil Health Card Scheme, Fasal Bhima Yojana (FBY) and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) besides farmers are being made aware about the latest scientific techniques at their doorstep.During the meeting the progressive farmers shared their viewpoint and suggested various measures to be incorporated in Budget 2017-18. The meeting also reviewed the list of goods and items already exempted from levy of Toll Tax and Value Added Tax.
The suggestions included waiving off Kissan Credit Loans, provision of subsidy on Agriculture Machinery and equipments and fertilizers, implementation of Crop Insurance Scheme, more budgetary provision for different components like migratory allowances and departmental assistance for Bee Keepers during their migration, construction of ponds in remote areas, covering of Bee Keepers under Kissan Credit Card and Fasal Bhima Yojna, promotion of traditional basmati, rejuvenation of old canals in Poonch district and promotion of organic farming in Kishtwar district, establishment of Vegetable Mandis at Assar and Maize Mandis at Udhampur, subsidized fencing of mulberry nurseries, poly-houses for improving vegetable promotion and keeping provisions for enhancing the incentives being given for Reeling Units under Cocoon Welfare Fund.Mr. Hanjura assured the farmers that the issues raised by them would be taken up with the concerned quarters for appropriate action.
The Minister said Government is committed to uplift the farming community and the deliberations with them before budget displays the government’s concern to uplift the farming community so that the government can take care of their issues in the next budget. Minister assured them that he will put forward their suggestions and issues before the Chief Minister and also directed the concerned officers of Agriculture Production Department to project the issues raised at the meeting. He said the Chief Minister is already taking keen interest in resolving the genuine issues of the farming community.The Minister said that the Centre is providing liberal funding under Agriculture sector but need is to submit the utilization Certificate (UC)s.The meeting was also attended by the Vice-Chairman, J&K State Advisory Board for Development of Kissans, Daljeet Singh Chib, Financial Commissioner, Agriculture Production Department, Pramod Kumar Jain, Director Agriculture Jammu, A. K. Malhotra, Director Sericulture, Dr. Malik Farooq, Director Command Area Development, Jammu, Manisha Sharma, Managing Director, Agro-Industries Development Corporation, Members of J&K State Advisory Board for Development of Kissans, several Progressive Farmers from Jammu division and other officers of Agriculture and allied departments.Vice Chairman, J&K State Advisory Board for Development of Kissans also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the farmers view point. Earlier, the Director of Agriculture Jammu made a brief presentation on the background of the programme, and said that such annual interactive meetings help the Government in taking a detailed and first hand appraisal of ground realities of the farming sector.