The 47th meeting of Board of Directors of J&K Sheep and Sheep Products Development Board (SSPDB) was held under the chairmanship of Minister for Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries, Abdul Ghani Kohli here today.The meeting was also attended by the Minister of State for Forest, Environment, Animal, Sheep Husbandry, Fisheries and Cooperative, Mir Zahoor Ahmad and MLC Saif-ud-din Bhat.During the meeting, Wool Board authorities were asked to prepare DPR under NABARD for establishment of Wool Scoring Plant, Leather Processing Plant, purchase of machinery equipments used for wool processing and construction of buildings for office complex and submit the same to the concerned quarter for accord of necessary arrangement of funds. Concerned were directed to submit a proposal for enhancing of revolving fund to increase purchasing capacity of wool so that the same can be taken up with the Finance Department for consideration.During the meeting, the Board approved decisions which included writing off losses of wool stock due to 2014 floods, re-imbursement of medical claim, budget proposals for 2017-18, enhancement of wages in respect of Multipurpose Workers and enhancement of grading charges in favour of piece wagers. Threadbare discussions were also held on confirmation of the minutes of 46th Board of Directors meeting, revival of the woolen sector in the State, implementation of civil service rules, clearance of pending liabilities.
Addressing the meeting, Kohli stressed the officers to work with utmost dedication and come up with the expectations of the livestock rearers. He also asked them to conduct field visits and ensure every possible help to the breeders.The Minister asked the Board authorities to implement the decisions taken in today’s meeting in letter and spirit.He said that the aim of establishment of the Board was to benefit the breeders and there is a need to work hard to make the JKSSPDB viable and result oriented.He also called for developing the traditional activities like sheep and cattle rearing which have great potential in the State. For the purpose, he stressed on effective implementation of intervention schemes and extending the benefits of centrally sponsored programmes to the breeders.Highlighting the local potential in sheep rearing, the Minister of State for Animal & Sheep Husbandry, Mir Zahoor said that the State of Jammu and Kashmir has a huge potential of sheep rearing and there is an enormous demand for mutton, poultry and fish in the State. He also called for organizing awareness camps to aware general masses about the benefits of sheep rearing.The meeting was also attended by the Commissioner Secretary, Animal & Sheep Husbandry, R K Bhagat, Director Sheep Husbandry Kashmir, Mohammad Ramzan, Director Sheep Husbandry Jammu K K Sharma, Managing Director, JKSSPDB Mohammad Sharief, representative from Industries and Commerce, Finance Departments and Planning Departments, Members of Wool Board, Mohammad Yaseen Poswal and Mir Ahmad Bajad.