Lal Calls for stronger Bank-Department coordination
Doda: Deputy Commissioner Doda Krishan Lal Monday chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the progress of credit-linked schemes under Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), approval and rejection rates of beneficiary cases and issues affecting its implementation in the district.
The meeting was attended by functionaries from Agriculture, Horticulture, Floriculture, Fisheries, Sheep Husbandry, Animal Husbandry and the Employment and Counselling Centre, besides Chief Planning Officer (CPO), Nodal Officer HADP, Lead District Manager (LDM), representatives from banks and other stakeholders associated with the implementation of HADP.
The meeting deliberated upon challenges being faced in the registration process under HADP and explored measures to streamline beneficiary on-boarding. The concerned departments and banking institutions were asked to strengthen coordination for effective implementation of HADP schemes and timely resolution of bottlenecks.
Special focus was laid on the promotion of innovative and high-value agricultural activities, including protected cultivation through greenhouses, cultivation of niche crops, honey production, mushroom cultivation and introduction of yellow and pink cauliflower varieties. The Deputy Commissioner encouraged departments to promote diversification and adoption of modern agricultural practices to enhance farmers’ income and productivity.
The meeting further reviewed credit-linked applications under HADP and the Jammu & Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement in Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP) in the horticulture sector. Discussions were held regarding apple plantation initiatives in the District. The Horticulture Department was asked to encourage farmers to adopt advanced and high-yielding apple varieties for enhancing production and improving orchard productivity.
The Deputy Commissioner directed stakeholders to ensure the accuracy of beneficiary data, particularly in cases involving farmers above 65 years of age. He stressed the importance of maintaining updated records to facilitate smooth processing of applications and effective delivery of benefits.
Additionally, the meeting reviewed Kisan Credit Card (KCC) registrations and credit linkage of farmers. It was informed that there are approximately 35,000 active KCC accounts in the district.
The Deputy Commissioner emphasized the need to expand KCC coverage and urged departments and banking institutions to ensure that more eligible farmers are brought under the ambit of the scheme to strengthen agricultural and allied sector activities in the district.
The status of KCC applications under the Animal Husbandry and Sheep Husbandry sectors was reviewed extensively. Detailed discussions were held on approval and rejection rates of cases. The Deputy Commissioner directed banks to carry out proper scrutiny and counselling of applicants to minimize avoidable rejections and ensure deserving beneficiaries receive timely financial assistance.
Reviewing the coverage under PM-KISAN, the meeting was informed that presently the district has around 42,392 beneficiaries registered under the PM- scheme. Discussions were held regarding active and inactive; Aadhaar-linked and non-Aadhaar-linked PM-KISAN accounts, land-seeding status of active beneficiaries and issues affecting beneficiary authentication.
The Deputy Commissioner directed banks to expedite the KYC verification process of farmers whose registrations remain incomplete due to incorrect or insufficient information. “Eligible beneficiaries shall not be deprived of benefits due to procedural delays,” he emphasized.
Reiterating the importance of convergence and coordination, the Deputy Commissioner directed the Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and Sheep Husbandry departments to maintain close liaison with banking institutions to achieve the objectives of HADP and ensure maximum outreach of government schemes among farmers and rural entrepreneurs.
