Director Horticulture (P&M), Vishesh Mahajan today held a detailed meeting with the members of Jammu Fruit Association to discuss their issues and demands.The delegation of Jammu Fruit Association was led by its president Davender Gupta, vice president Ashok Kumar Gupta and general Secretary Nitin Jain and Vegetable Association was led by President Surinder Singh, Vice president Vishal Kohli and General Secretary Mr.Ankur.During the meeting a number of issues were discussed in presence of the officials of the department and engineering wing.Director Horticulture (P&M) was apprised by Fruit and Vegetable Association members about some burning issues that they are facing in the Mandi and needed immediate attention.The Members requested for extension of lease deeds and at the same time asked for completion of Auction shed in Phase-I1. The Director assured the Fruit and Vegetable Association members that their demands will be addressed at the earliest. The Director asked the concerned officials to act on the demands raised by the Fruit and Vegetable Associations and provide the necessary facilities in the Mandi like water and Canteen. He directed the engineering wing of the department to expedite work on pending projects and instructed that they may be completed within the next fifteen days.
He informed the Fruit and Vegetable Association that the Fruit & Vegetable Mandi is under Smart City Project and amount to the tune of Rs. Rs 12.00 crore has been envisaged for creating various facilities. He conveyed to the members that extra facilities will be coming up in near future in the Mandi that would be beneficial for growers/traders.The Director assured the Fruit and Vegetable Association that the matter will be taken up with CEO Jammu Smart City for immediate installation of extra lights and public toilet facilities in the Mandi.Regarding the space shortage for parking of trucks, the Director assured that the department will take up the matter with NHPC for renting out its adjoining land to the department so that during the peak season the extra inflow of trucks in the mandi can be managed well.However, the Director agreed to the Fruit and Vegetable Association's suggestion of using the adjacent railway land for the time being and assured to take up the matter with authorities.While touring the Fruit Market and Vegetable Market, the Director asked the shopkeepers to desist from encroachments and cooperate with officials for better maintenance of the Mandi.The Director also asked the Fruit and Vegetable Association to ensure that the members clear the pending dues immediately in order to avoid any legal action the department may be forced to initiate against the erring members.