Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that roads being constructed by the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board must strictly adhere to prescribed standards and that there should be no compromise on quality. He also directed officials to ensure that no road in the state remains damaged.
The Chief Minister was reviewing various initiatives of the Marketing Board during a meeting with departmental officials. He conducted a detailed review of budget announcements relating to the establishment of rural haats and purchase centres, construction and maintenance of roads, issuance of gate passes for crops, Agromalls, cleanliness in mandis, pack houses and cold storage facilities, Atal Canteens, Sankalp Patra commitments, Vision-2047 and other projects.
The Chief Minister said that sites for setting up Rural Haats and Purchase Centres have been identified at 12 locations in the state. Sheds will be constructed at these sites at a cost of approximately Rs. 30–35 lakh each. In addition, similar haat centres will be established at the block level. Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and farmers will be able to participate in these centres to enhance their livelihoods and market their agricultural produce and other products.
Directions for Better Cleanliness in Grain Markets
The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure proper cleanliness arrangements in all grain markets across the state. He instructed that drains, sheds and market yards should be cleaned regularly and effectively.
He emphasized that no complaints regarding sanitation in mandis should arise. He further informed that cold storage facilities and pack houses will be established in Yamunanagar, Karnal and Narnaul, and tenders for these projects have already been awarded.
Vegetable Markets in Gurugram and Faridabad to Be Relocated
The Chief Minister said that the Agromall at Rohtak has become operational. Necessary action is also underway for Agromalls in Karnal, Panipat and Panchkula. He added that tenders for the Pinjore Apple Market will be floated shortly.
He further stated that the existing vegetable market in Gurugram, located in a congested urban area, will be shifted to the proposed flower market being developed on 22 acres of land at Kaliyawas. Similarly, the vegetable market in Faridabad will also be relocated outside the city in the near future.
Atal Canteens to Be Opened in 10 More Mandis
The Chief Minister stressed the need to improve the quality and productivity of kinnow cultivation in the state. He directed officials to promote kinnow production and focus on its trade and processing.
He informed that Atal Canteens have already been established in 93 mandis across Haryana for the benefit of labourers and visitors. Work to open Atal Canteens in 10 additional mandis will be undertaken shortly to provide affordable and nutritious meals to people visiting the markets.
The Chief Minister also noted that electronic weighing machines have been installed in mandis to ensure accurate measurement of produce. In addition, farmers have been provided the facility of obtaining a single gate pass for the sale of all crops.
He said that all 108 mandis in the state have been fully integrated with the Electronic National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) portal.
Solar Panels to Be Installed on Market Sheds
The Chief Minister directed officials to install advanced solar panels on sheds in all mandis across the state to promote solar energy. He said that after meeting the electricity requirements of the mandis, surplus power should be supplied to the power grid.
He noted that this initiative would make mandis financially self-reliant while also contributing to increased power generation in line with the vision of the Prime Minister.
Maintenance of 10,970 Roads Under Mukhyamantri Gramin Sudhaar Yojana
The Chief Minister said that maintenance work is currently being carried out on 10,970 rural roads under the Mukhyamantri Gramin Sudhaar Yojana. He informed that repair work on roads covering a length of 1,680 kilometres is in progress.
In addition, work on 1,157 roads covering approximately 3,300 kilometres has already been completed, while the remaining roads will be completed in due course. He further stated that 609 unpaved agricultural access roads, covering a length of 1,837 kilometres and having a width of five karam, have been paved. Construction work on an additional 127 kilometres of such roads is currently underway.
Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sh. Rajesh Khullar, Additional Chief Secretary Sh. Vijayendra Singh, Principal Secretary Amneet P. Kumar and several other senior officers were present in the meeting.