Directs field functionaries to reach out to the farmers
REASI: Minister for Agriculture Mr. Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura during his maiden visit to Reasi district inspected the implementation of various schemes of Agriculture and Sericulture Sectors at Patta, Talwara, Marhi, Kanha, Kund Khilarian and Sudheen panchyats of Reasi. He also took stock of damages caused to standing crops of wheat, vegetable, oilseed and pulse crops due to recent unseasonal rains and flash floods. Ajay Nanda, MLA Reasi accompanied the Minister during the tour.
Addressing a large gathering of Sarpanchs, Panchs and Progressive Farmers at Kanha (Pouni) Mr. Hanjura said that the present Coalition Government is committed to streamline the system for providing the benefits of various schemes to the beneficiaries. He said special thrust is being given on development of agriculture through effective implementation of various schemes to raise the living standard of the people.
The Minister directed the field functionaries of agriculture department to organize awareness camps about various activities and programmes under implementation. He said that the purpose of his visit is to have an on spot assessment about the extent of damage to the crops and losses of the farmers of the area. He said that all out efforts will be made to mitigate the problems of the farmers .On the occasion the Minister asked the officers to reach out to the farmers and sensitize them about the welfare programmes and new technical interventions for improving productivity .
Mr. Hanjura assured the farmers that the Government is aware of their problems and the directions have already been given to all the Deputy Commissioners for constitution of joint teams of Revenue and Agriculture departments to assess the losses and damages to provide compensation at the earliest.
The Minister also distributed cheques to the farmers for the construction of Silkworm Rearing House under Catalytic Development Programme of the Sericulture Development Department. Four beneficiary farmers were given cheques amounting Rs. 1.125 lacs each as an assistance of 90% under the scheme for promotion of silkworm rearing.
Groups of large number of farmers, Panchs and Sarpanchs met the Minister at various places en-route and demanded free distribution of seed and fertilizer as compensation for damage due to incessant and untimely rains in the last two consecutive cropping seasons. The Minister also visited the flood affected areas of Talwara and Patta where fields of farmers were damaged due to accumulation of huge boulders and debris. The minister also inspected the dugwells, pumpsets, biogas units, vermi-beds, vermi-compost structures constructed National Vegetable Initiative under Urban Cluster (NVIUC) a component of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
Director Agriculture Jammu, Dr. S. S. Jamwal, Director Command Area Development, Jammu, Mr. H. K. Sharma, Additional District Development Commissioner, Reasi, Mr. Shiv Kumar Gupta, Sh M. L. Chadgal, Additional Director Sericulture and other senior officers of concerned departments accompanied the Minister during the visit.