Mir Zahoor reviews progress of Rs 400 cr National Saffron Mission

Calls for early completion of Sprinkler Irrigation Bore Wells, purchase of Bush Cutters

          SRINAGAR, JUNE 12: Minister of State for Forest, Environment, Animal & Sheep Husbandry, Cooperative and Fisheries, Mir Zahoor Ahmad, Monday convened a meeting to review progress of Rs 400.11 crore National Saffron Mission.

The Minister directed the Executing Agencies, Mechanical Engineering Department to speed up work on all ongoing Sprinkler Irrigation Bore Wells carried out under the Mission in Pampore Constituency. He also asked the concerned Executing Agencies to start construction work on all allotted Sprinkler Irrigation Bore Wells at the earliest so that its benefit reach to the intended target.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary Agriculture Production Department Ali Raza, District Development Commissioner, Pulwama G. M Dar, Director Agriculture, Kashmir Altaf Ahmad Andrabi, Incharge Saffron Research Station Konibal Dr Firdous Ahmad Nehvi, Executive Engineer Mechanical Engineering Department and other concerned officers.

          Detailed discussions were held on various issues including release of wages to Casual Labours engaged under NSM, land brought under rejuvenation and replanting.

          Mir Zahoor directed the concerned to come up with a proposal for granting financial assistance under rejuvenation head for purchase of Bush Cutter so that the same could be distributed among the farmers.

          Taking stock of NMS under RKVY from 2010-2016, it was given out that 361 weeders were distributed among the farmers besides 525 vermi compost units were established and 64 Hot Air Dryers distributed in Pulwama district during the period.

          It was also said that 2218 hectares of land was brought under rejuvenation and replanting in the State and Rs 304 crore were incurred on it, so far.

Officials of the Mechanical Engineering Department informed the meeting that 98 Sprinkler Irrigation Bore Wells have been established in different places including Chandihara, Dussu and Barsu villages of Pampore Constituency, out of which 91 Sprinkler were fully harnessed. It was also given that out of 91 Sprinkler, 9 were handed over to Agriculture Production Department for their operation.

          The DDC Pulwama who is also chairman of NSM assured the meeting that not stone will be left unturned to speed up the pace of work on all developmental works carried out under the Mission.