Minister for Horticulture, Syed Basharat Ahmed Bukhari today directed the officials to compile land details of fruit trees in every village and asked them to expedite the process of Election of Market Committees.The Minister said this while reviewing progress on the decisions taken in the previous review meeting regarding the election process of Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees and authentication of data of land under fruit trees in every village of the state.The meeting was attended by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and DC’s of all the districts of the state through video conferencing while Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Mandeep K Bhandari, Commissioner Secretary Revenue, Secretary Horticulture, D.C Samba, Director Horticulture Jammu, Deputy Director Horticulture P&M Jammu and several other officers were present in the meeting.
It was informed in the meeting that the total quantum of land under orchards has been done already, and the details are ready with the department and soon will be produced for further procedure.
On the occasion, the Minister directed the concerned officers to finish the compilation process of the authenticating the data of land under fruit trees in every village. The Minister added that classification of land is necessary to get the accurate data of land being used under various fruit trees. “It will also help fruit growers to avail the benefits from central and state sponsored schemes while government and the planners will be able to make future plans for the development of the horticulture sector,” the Minister said.Bukhari directed the concerned officers to make physical verification of land, which has been converted from agriculture to horticulture purpose.While taking review of the Election of Market Committees, the Minister was informed that department has prepared the list of farmers’ in every village and the subsequent voter list will be prepared within a week.
The Minister directed the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir to conduct video conference with DC’s of the Kashmir division to review the progress of election process arrangements and other related work and submit the report as per the given deadline. The Minister exhorted upon the officers to ensure that physical verification of voters is done and registered traders, commission agents are included in the voter list as per the J&K State Agriculture Produce Marketing (Regulation act 1997) and the rules notified vide SRO 383.The Minister also said that the department has formed a high-level committee with an aim to make a Horticulture policy for the state that will help to further strengthen the horticulture industry.