Srinagar, Nov 17 (KNS): B V R Subramanian Chief Secretary J&K & Navin Kumar Chaudhary Principal Secretary to Government, Horticulture/Agriculture Departments Co-chaired State Level Empowered Committee Meeting (SLEC) for MIDH on 16th November 2020 in Winter Secretariat, Srinagar.
The meeting was attended by members of the SLEC and Chief Horticulture Officers of all Districts of Kashmir Division were also present in the meeting.

A detailed power Point presentation on the agenda of the items was given by Director Horticulture Kashmir-Sh. Ajaz Ahmad Bhat-KAS, who is also Mission Director, MIDH-J&K.
The meeting held detailed discussion on representation regarding provision of back ended subsidy support to Integrated Controlled Atmosphere (CA) Store projects lying with Government of India and relevance of feasibility for consideration of more than one unit CA store to same proprietor.
During meeting, Chief Secretary made it clear that fruit industry is Gold Mine for growers, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders in J&K that has to be exploited and developed properly to make J&K power house of horticulture production. He asked the officers to work hard towards increasing horticulture economy for larger interest of the farmers community, as there is no shortage of funds.
Chief Secretary also directed the department to prepare a special scheme for production of clonal root stock and High density plants for which Govt. provide every support so that our growers shall be in a position to enhance the production of fruit crops atleast by 4 to 5 folds which will inturn give boost to the economy of J&K for socio economic development.
Further Chief Secretary made it clear in the course of meeting that there is no binding on the number of units established by a single promoter.
The Principal Secretary instructed to clear all bottle necks & resolve the issues relating to the procedures/follow up action & necessary approval/recommendations to the projects taken by entrepreneurs. He asked all the District officers to perform on ground with positive frame work besides directing them to clear all the liabilities pending with the department.

While reviewing MIDH action plan, Principal Secretary directed the field officers to speed up execution of action plan so as to ensure timely expenditure during the current financial year.
Further Principal Secretary assured that there is no any dearth of funds in the budgetary allocations for establishment of Controlled Atmospheric Storage Facility as such the entrepreneurs shall come up with new project proposals for creation of such facility with support of Government of India and J&K under Scheme MIDH and CAPEX Budget respectively. The review in this regard will be taken within a period of ten days in order to improve the expenditure by all the District Heads/Controlling Officers without any fail.
Principal Secretary further added that for boosting the production of quality planting material from the local nurseries in order to cut the burden on import and avoid complication experienced during Plant Quarantine issues. The nursery growers have to be encouraged under a separate scheme for production of quality material, for which the draft proposal will be submitted shortly.
Meeting ended with vote of thanks by Sh Ajaz Ahmed Bhat, Mission Director MIDH, J&K to the Chair.(KNS)