Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 4: Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture Raman Bhalla has called upon the concerned officers to motivate the growers and traders to ensure that quality fruit and vegetables were brought to the market, adding that in this era of competition the quality control is must.
This was stated by the Minister, while chairing a meeting of officers of Horticulture (Planning and Marketing), convened to review the functioning of the department at Narwal, here today.
Director Horticulture (Planning and Marketing) A R Natnoo, Managing Director, Syed Rafiq Ahmed, Managing Director J&K HPMC Syed Rafiq Ahmed Furahi, Director Horticulture, J R Sharma, besides other senior officers of the department were present in the meeting.
Mr. Bhalla stressed for exploring new markets to promote State’s horticulture products. He said horticulture was the mainstay of the State’s economy and all out efforts will be made to promote this vital sector appropriately across the country.
Calling for well-knit and coordinated efforts to achieve the targets, the Minister asked the officers to put in their best efforts to enhance the business activities in their jurisdictions to improve the State’s economy further. He stressed for regular interaction between the officers and traders to sort out the petty issues and problems being faced by the business community associated with this trade.
Regarding the problems of field functionaries, which are posted in different parts of the State as well as outside, Mr Bhalla assured that the Government would create modern infrastructure in the offices of Area Marketing Officers according to the present requirements at the earliest. He said the Government acknowledges their difficulties and every effort will be made to overcome these in a phased manner. He directed the Director Horticulture (Planning and Marketing) to formulate a comprehensive proposal for equipping the offices as per the present needs to enhance the efficacy of the officers.
Earlier, the Minister also visited fruit and vegetable mandies at Narwal, reviewed the facilities being provided by the Horticulture (Planning and Marketing) Department to the fruit and vegetable traders.
Mr. Bhalla said the Government has approved Rs. 4.78 crore for face lifting of Phase-I and Phase-II mandies at Narwal. He said the places would be developed with modern line basic amenities like improved power, safe drinking water, better roads besides toilet blocks. He said Government has also earmarked Rs. 70 lakh for construction of auction platform in vegetable mandi, adding that the project is nearing completion and would be dedicated to the traders shortly.
Later, the Minister also reviewed the functioning of Directorate of Archives, Archeology, Museum, Libraries, Research and Academy of Art, Culture and Languages.
Commissioner/Secretary Culture Atul Dulloo, Secretary, Art, Culture and Languages Bashir Ahmed Bhat, Consultant Department of Culture, S K A Qadri, Chief Engineer, R&B Tehseen Mustafa besides other senior officers of the departments were present in the meeting.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel