Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 1: Minister of State for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Nazir Ahmad Gurezi today informed the House that 118850.66 quintals of seeds, 1831241.35 MTs of fertilizer and 1722.62 MTs of pesticide have been provided to the farmers during the current year.
The Minister was replying to a question by Jahangir Hussain Mir in the Legislative Council.
The Minister further said that besides state / district plan, various schemes are under implementation for Development of Agriculture sector including Integrated Scheme of oil seed, pulses, oil palm and maize, seed Village Programme, Horticulture Mission for the North-East and Himalayan States, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, National Food Security Mission (Rice & Wheat), Promotion & Strengthening of Agricultural Mechanization through training, testing & demonstration, support to State Extension Programme for Extension Reforms and National Bamboo Mission.
Mr. Gurezi further informed the House that in order to improve vegetable production various other schemes are under implementation in the state like the National Vegetable Initiative for Urban Clusters which aims at providing end -to-end linkage in vegetable production, marketing and processing with back-up support by the Small Farmers Agri Business Consortium (SFAC) and various interventions like Base Line Surveys, Promotion of Farmer Association / Groups, Vegetable seed and Seedling production, Organic Farming, Vermicompost Units and Vermibeds, vegetable Cultivation in Open Condition, Protected Cultivation, Integrated Nutrient Management / Integrated Pest Farmers have been initiated under the mission.
The Minister said that similarly, under Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan State (HMNEH), the Scheme is being implemented with an objective to focus on the quality production of vegetable crops, Mushroom and Apiculture through adoption of improved technologies, Area Expansion of Vegetables / Spices, Promotion of Organic Farming, Horticulture Mechanization, Construction of Vermicompost, Protected Cultivation (Naturally Ventilated System), Shade Net House, Human Resource Development and Creation of Water Sources.
While replying to another question raised by Dr. B. A. Veeri, the Minister informed the House that the eroded / vulnerable spots of both banks of Nallah Lidder to Hutmurrah are at present being treated / restored out of the available funds with the department. During 2013-14, works to the tune of Rs. 25.74 lakh have been executed under SDRF for restoration of spots along the banks of Lidder Nallah from Hutmurrah to Arder damaged in the floods of August 2013.
The Minister said a comprehensive project has been formulated at an estimated cost of Rs. 16.56 crore and cleared under 8th TAC which was under process of submission of CWC, Government of India for approval / funding under Flood Management Programme (FMP) on 10 : 90 (State : Centre) funding pattern but the Centre has in the meanwhile, revised the guidelines. As per revised guidelines, only those Flood Management Schemes shall henceforth qualify for funding if they are submitted on 30: 70 sharing pattern (State : Centre), which makes it difficult for the state to submit thee schemes for funding. He said the issue for restoration of funding pattern to the earlier 10: 90 pattern has been taken up by the State Government with Union Ministry of Water Resources.
In another question of Khalid Najeeb Suharwardy, the Minister informed the House that under state sector the up-gradation of Middle and High Schools to next level has been stopped due to launch of RMSA.
The Minister further told that there is no provision for up-gradation of high schools to the level of Higher Secondary Schools under RMSA, as Centre has not recommended such authorization. As and when the upgradation of High Schools to Higher Secondary level is allowed, these schools of Tehsil Doda shall be upgraded to next level provided after fulfilling the norms and guidelines of RMSA.
In reply to another question by Bashir Ahmad Magray, the Minister informed the House that the proposal for establishment of PHE Division Pulwama is under consideration with the Government.
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