Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today said there will be visible change in the State’s key economic sectors like horticulture and agriculture during the next two years with some progressive interventions being made by the Government.“The Government is taking major initiatives to turnaround the horticulture sector with inclusive focus on production, harvesting and marketing of the horticulture produce,” the Chief Minister said while interacting with various deputations of fruit growers who called on her here today.She said besides introducing high density plants and root stocks imported from Europe to increase productivity, pesticide testing and soil testing laboratories are being established in various parts of the State to ensure better quantity and quality of fruit. The Chief Minister said for better marketing facilities new Fruit and Vegetable Markets are being established at Jablipora, Anantnag, Aglar, Shopian and Prayote, Doda. She said Kissan Ghar and Multi-Commodity Cold Store at Kolkatta have also been sanctioned under NABARD.
She said out of the 21 Satellite Fruit and Vegetable Markets proposed to be developed in the State against the project cost of Rs 118.82 crore, seven markets are already functional in Kashmir and one in Jammu while the rest are likely to be completed and made functional within next two years. “Besides, eight Apni Mandies are also under the process of development in the State,” she said.Ms Mehbooba said the Government is also increasing the capacity of Controlled Atmospheric Stores (CAS) to address shortfall as part of the post harvesting management programme.Meanwhile, scores of other deputations and individuals called on the Chief Minister at her Private Office here today to bring their grievances, demands and developmental issues into the notice of the Government for early redressel.
The deputations that called on the Chief Minister during the public hearing included a delegation of Traders Associations from across Kashmir, led by Chairman of the Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), Mohammad Yasin Khan, Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Association, Jammu and Kashmir Lumberdar Association, Traders Association Anantnag, KMD Bus Stand Association, deputation of Industrial Estate Khonmoh, Kashmir Pandit Sangharash Samiti, All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee led by Mr Jagmohan Singh Raina, Artisans Federation Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir Handicapped Association, Contractors Association Anantnag, Beopar Mandal Anantnag, deputation of Kashmir Shawl Manufacturers Association, Kashmir Roller Flour Mill Association, Houseboat Owners Association, Cement Manufacturers Association, Traders Federation Baramulla, Kashmir Carpet Manufacturers and Traders Association, Jammu and Kashmir Press Association led by Mr G H Kaloo, J&K Editors’ Association led by Mr Rashid Rahi and SKIMS Faculty.Besides, civil society members and hundreds of individuals from across the State also called on the Chief Minister to seek speedy redressel of their grievances and demands including developmental issues.
The Chief Minister gave patient hearing to the deputations and individuals and said that their genuine demands would be given due consideration by the Government. She said the government is alive to the public demands and necessary measures are already afoot to upgrade basic amenities and ensure prompt public service delivery. Ms Mehbooba said wherever necessary additional focus would be concentrated to address the people’s demands.Prof Amitabh Mattoo, Advisor to Chief Minister, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr Naveen Kumar Choudhary, Secretary Horticulture, Mr M H Malik, District Development Commissioner Srinagar, Dr Farooq Ahmad Lone and Special Secretaries in CM’s Secretariat, Mr B A Dar and Mr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary were also present during the public hearing.