The Minister for Horticulture Syed Basharat Bukhari directed the officers to conduct the Horticulture census on the fast track basis so that the necessary measures can be initiated for ensuring that the lacunae if any are addressed and the produce which contributes immensely to the state economy can be substantially increased.The Minister was addressing a review meeting convened to discuss various issues of the horticulture department.Vice Chairman Horticulture Development Board (HDB) Mr. Nizam–ud-Din Bhat, Financial Commissioner Revenue, Mr Lokesh Jha, Commissioner/Secretary General Administration Department Mr Khurshid Ahmad Shah, Commissioner Secretary Revenue Mr Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Secretary Horticulture Mr M H Malik, Secretary Law Mr. Abdul Majid Bhat and other senior officers were present in the meeting.The Minister directed the officers of the horticulture department to conduct census by which information regarding the total area under orchards and other fruit bearing trees can be gathered so that a comprehensive plan can be devised for ensuring that the horticulture produce gets increased. He said the officers should start their work from the month of April and submit the report to the Government as early as possible.
Syed Basharat Bukhari also directed the Revenue Officers to ensure that the revenue extract of various horticulture mandies present in the state is mutated in favour of the horticulture department so that requisite inventory is also maintained. He said both the departments should also work in close coordination in order to remove various other bottlenecks.The Minister also directed the Commissioner Secretary GAD to address the issues pertaining to the horticulture department like dearth of staff and budgetary support at an earliest. He also called for adhering to the recent circular issued by the GAD and Law regarding the reservation in promotions so that the promotion issues of the Horticultures staff are also addressed. He also directed for finalizing the seniority of the officials / officers of the department within a month and also holding DPCs regularly so that the long pending issues of the employees can be settled.Syed Basharat Bukhari also directed the Law Secretary to pursue various cases pending in different fora in the state. He said that those cases which are genuine need to be settled with the aggrieved persons/parties so that the time and resources of the Government do not get wasted.