Kathua: Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh Thursday said doubling farmers’ income was the main goal of the government and for this every possible step is being taken by it.
“Providing better price for their produce, subsidy on farm inputs and latest technical intervention in farm practices are the areas where government is focusing to achieve this ambitious target” Dy CM told farmers after inaugurating paddy procurement centres here at Dungara and Lakhri of Tehsil Billawar. These centres have been established by department of Agriculture in collaboration with FCI.
The Vice Chairman state advisory Board for Development of Kissans, Daljit Singh Chib was also present at the inaugural functions.
Dr Singh said these procurement centres will promote healthy competition among private millers to give maximum price to farmers and discourage the unfair practices. He said new procurement policy has been made farmer friendly by opening centres at close distances.
He informed that the minimum support price for Grade A (Semi Fine) paddy has been fixed Rs. 1590/- per quintal where as the price for coarse paddy is Rs. 1550/- per quintal. He further added that farmers are integral part of the development process as they are feeding the nation. He also highlighted the benefits of FSA and MMSFES.
For facilitating the farmers, DyCM announced Rs 5 Lakh seed money from his CDF for the establishment of permanent paddy procurement centre at Billawar. He directed the ADC to identify the land for this purpose. He also said the State government has successfully introduced the mechanism of procurement so that farmers can be encouraged to carry on with the agriculture activities and get maximum returns. He further encouraged the farmers to help government to meet the procurement target of 10000 quintal against the previous year achievement of 4000 quintal.
Stressing on promotion of modern cultivation techniques, Dr Singh said it was high time that farmers are educated about integrated farming model to increase profitability. He stressed upon the need to work out policies keeping in view the economic well being and nutritional needs of poor farmers.
An awareness camp on SBM and MGNREGA was also organized by the Rural Development Department at village Lakhri where DyCM was the chief guest. Financial assistance under PMAY and for construction of IHHL was also given to the beneficiaries amounting to several thousands.
While addressing huge gathering at Lakhri, Deputy Chief Minister reiterated Government’s resolve to conduct Panchayat elections in near future to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions as part of the larger vision of decentralization of power. He said PRIs will get strengthened after Panchayat Polls to ensure active participation of people at grassroots level in day-to-day governance and formulation of developmental policies.
Dy CM also announced that Mandli block of Billawar would soon achieve the status of ODF block of district Kathua.
In his address, Daljit Singh Chib said government opened 2 procurement centres at Billawar to provide better facilities to the farmers and discourage middleman’s role. He urged upon the concerned agencies and departments to put in their best efforts to ensure that the farmer do not face any inconvenience in selling their produce. He also underscored the benefits of various State and Central sponsored welfare schemes for the farmers.
Later, The Dy CM listened to public issues at public grievances redress camps organized at Gujroo Nagrota and Dher. People in large numbers apprised the Dy CM about various problems being faced by them and sought their early redressal.
DyCM gave a patient hearing and assured that their problem will be redressed in a time bound manner. He issued on the spot to directions to the officers for making concerted efforts in resolving people’s problem.
Others present were ADC Billawar, Joginder Singh Rai, ACD Kathua, Rohit Khajuria, DAO, Davinder Sharma, GM FCI, Kishore Kumar, SDAOs, BDOs, Tehsildars, SDPO Billawar, Social Activist, Mamta Singh, prominent citizens, villagers in large numbers and other district and sub division level officers .
