Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura convened a meeting to review the implementation of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in fertilizers here today.The meeting was attended by Additional Secretary Department of fertilizers Government of India, Dharam Pal, Commissioner Secretary Agriculture Production department, Mohammad Afzal, Secretary Agriculture Production Showket Ahmad Beig, Director Agriculture Jammu, H.K. Razdan, Director Law Enforcement and other senior officers of the department.The meeting had a detailed review of preparedness of Agriculture Department, Fertilizer Companies, Wholesalers and the Retailers to Go-live for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in fertilizers from 1st of February 2018, the deadline fixed by Government of India for the state.The Minister had comprehensive deliberation on the aims, objectives, scope and nature of projects being implemented by the Department under the scheme. Besides, various proceedings including requirement of fertilizers for upcoming Rabi and Kharief seasons, availability of fertilizers, details of retail fertilizer dealers and installation of Point Of Sale machines (POS) were also discussed thoroughly.
The Minister was informed that all the disbursements and expenditures are being performed through the system at all the levels. It was also apprised that for making the proceedings more transparent, credible and farmer friendly the subsidies provided to the farmers under different schemes are directly transferred to their bank accounts.Hanjura stressed upon the officers and the fertilizer supplying companies to strictly adhere to the deadlines and guidelines to ensure transparency in public dealings and to curb mismanagement. He said that introduction of Point of sale (POS) machines will give a clear picture of fertilizer supplies in the State and therefore directed the officers to gear up the extension machinery to ensure that the instructions are adhered to by all the concerned in all districts for smooth roll out of DBT in the state.The Minister instructed the fertilizer companies to take up the issue of proper fertilizer stocking at Udhampur Rake Point with the Railway authorities and the Railway Out Agency concerned and asked the enforcement agency to curb the movement and sale of damaged bags to the retailers or the farmers.The Minister emphasized that the assistance envisaged under various schemes be actually provided to farmers and should be put in public domain, so that the rightful claimants get the benefits in time.
He insisted on proper identification of beneficiaries and rational allocation of targets for equitable development of areas.The Minister stressed upon the officers to conduct administrative inspections, hear public grievances, hold timely DPCs and maintain strict financial discipline and Aadhaar Based Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to beneficiaries of all the schemes under implementation. He also directed the officers for monitoring punctuality in all the offices besides ensuring installation of Aadhaar Based Biometric Attendance System. He called for convergence among all allied departments so that the physical and financial resources are utilized judiciously. He directed all the HODs to conduct pending DPCs at the earliest so that the rightful claimants are promoted.Earlier, the Additional Secretary (GOI) took a separate meeting to review the progress made in the implementation of the DBT in Fertilizers with the Director Agriculture, Kashmir A. A. Andrabi, Chief Agriculture Officers of all the Districts, besides Additional District Development Commissioners of various districts through Video-Conferencing and also in person.Among others present on the occasion included wholesalers, representatives of the Fertilizer companies, Enforcement Inspectors and Chief Agriculture Officers of Jammu Division.Meanwhile, Director Agriculture Jammu Hari Krishan Razdan gave details regarding usage of Point of Sale Devices, various problems and bottlenecks in implementation of DBT in Fertilizers which included connectivity problems in Jammu Division.