Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 8: Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura informed the Lower House that SKUAST-Jammu was making all out efforts for establishment of new Krishi Vikas Kendra (KVK) in Udhampur district.
Replying to a Calling Attention Notice by R. S. Pathania, the Minister said that in Udhampur land measuring 342 kanals 13 marlas at village Marta and 20 kanals at Ramnagar have been transferred by the Government to SKUAST-Jammu. He further said that the Site Selection Committee of Indian Council of Agriculture Research, New Delhi was invited to visit the locations for establishment of KVK at village Marta and Ramnagar in district Udhampur, adding that the committee came for the site selection but could not finalize exact location of the site due to inclement weather conditions and non-motorable road.
The Minister said that at village Marta 17.10 hectares of land has been offered for establishment of KVK and its ownership is with SKUAST- Jammu. He said the Committee could not visit the site because of non-motorable road however it felt that the site was very remote and would not be suitable for establishment of KVK due to distance from Udhampur or Ramnagar with no good connectivity or communication.
The Minister further said that the University also showed 1.00 hectare land in Ward No. 9 Ramnagar town for construction of staff quarters which was also not properly demarcated. Keeping in view inconvenience to farmers and scientists, the Committee did not accept the proposal of the University.
The Minister said that Chief Engineer, PMGSY, Jammu has been asked to expedite completion of road approaching the site which was extensively damaged due to rains, in order to enable SKUAST-Jammu to invite ICAR Site Selection Committee. He added that the matter was also pursued vigorously by university authorities with Chief Engineer, PMGSY.
The Minister informed that Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu also visited the site along with Director Extension and Director Research. The Chief Engineer PMGSY was requested for early completion of the link road to the identified land for establishment of KVK, Udhampur so that a visit of ICAR site selection Committee could be arranged at the earliest.
The Minister said Chief Engineer PMGSY informed that the road has been repaired and made motorable up to the site identification for establishment of KVK. He said University has requested Zonal Project Director (ICAR) for arranging re-visit of the site selection committee to the said site.
The Minister further said that Chief Engineer PMGSY informed on August 11, 2015 that the road has been completed for stage-I works only which includes earthwork, protection work and drainage crossing and at present the road is blocked in stretches due to rainy season, meanwhile efforts are being made to restore motor path.
The Minister informed that sanction for establishment of KVK could only be accorded by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) after approval of the site by site selection committee, adding that it is possible only when road connectivity to the site is established.
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