Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, Feb 3: Much to the annoyance of the people, the Fruit Preservation Centre is lying defunct for the last thirteen years in South Kashmir’s Shopian district.
In 2007 the facility was opened in Ahgam area of Shopian to provide canning facilities to the growers. The centre would have catered to the processing needs of the orchardists of the area and helped in training people in the field of fruit and vegetable processing.
The growers said being rich in apple crop they produce surplus fruits, but are unaware about the techniques of processing leading to the wastage of the crop. “The perishable fruits and vegetables if processed will to a great extent solve the food problem and make foods available in the off season also,” Basit, a local said.
An official privy to the details told Excelsior that there are nearly four employees comprising MCP ( manager cum chemist), canning instructor, junior assistant and boiler attendant withdrawing their salaries against the posts in the unit.
“The salary amounts to around Rs 4 lakh per month. They are getting paid without any work. They should be available in the unit. Some of them have been sent to the field. Others are sitting at home,” he said.
In addition, he said, machines were auctioned without being used by the department. “The rusted material was auctioned unused. There are two rooms and a hall. The available machinery is also in dead stock,” he said.
Director Horticulture, Aijaz Bhat said that the infrastructure and equipment was allotted by the army under their goodwill program. “The building is in good conditions and equipment are also in good shape. I am planning to depute employee there who would impact training to people,” he said.
Asked about the staff, he said: “There is no staff there. I deputed a person there sometime back. He was suspended for remaining absent from duty”, he said, adding that the unit would also be upgraded.
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