Advisor Sharma visits Ghatti industrial estate Kathua, inaugurates wheat procurement centres at Palli and Jakhbar

Kathua: Advisor to the LG, KK Sharma directed the officers to ensure that the industries permitted to operate should be following the necessary COVID protocols and they should be provided with all the requisite and necessary support.
The Advisor was interacting with officers of Industries Department during his visit to Ghatti Industrial Area of Kathua.
MD SIDCO, Ravinder Kumar, Director Industries Jammu, Anoo Malhotra, DC Kathua, O P Bhagat also accompanied the Advisor during the visit.
The Advisor said industrial units which have been permitted to operate for manufacturing the essential items should be extended every possible help. He said staff of these units should also be educated about the safety measures to be adopted in view of the global pandemic.
Later, the Advisor had a detailed discussion with the officers regarding various amenities established to facilitate the industrialists. He said they should be pro active to the issues and needs of the entrepreneurs, so that the industrial scenario in the UT is catalyzed in a proper manner for the requisite fillip.
It is pertinent to mention that the Union Government had issued orders for operationalisation of certain industrial units engaged in manufacturing of essential items like medicines, food materials etc.
Earlier, the Advisor in order to facilitate the farmers amid the ongoing lockdown, inaugurated two wheat procurement centers at Palli and Jakhbar villages of Kathua.
Director Agriculture Jammu, Inder Jeet, CAO, Vijay Upadhaya, DAO, Sanjeev Rai Gupta were also present.
At the outset, Sharma said the minimum support price (MSP) for all types of wheat has been pronounced at Rs. 1925 per quintal. He also said these procurement centers will help the farmers in getting authentic price for their yield and if they get more money than the MSP, they are free to sell their produce in the open market.
The procurement centers has been established by the FCI in coordination with the Agriculture Department, Advisor informed and added that eight procurement centers will get established in Kathua district to facilitate the farmers.
Several farmers’ delegation also met the Advisor and apprised him of various problems being faced by them viz. compensation for damaged crops, subsidy on agriculture inputs, permanent procurement centers and waiver of registration fees of Tractor purchased for agricultural needs.
The Advisor after hearing their issues patiently, told them that every possible care will be taken to resolve their issues on priority. He also advised them to follow lockdown guidelines and maintain safe physical distancing while working in their farm fields besides putting on masks while carrying out farming activities.