SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir government today ordered an inquiry to look into the implementation of Rs 400 crore National Saffron Mission (NSM) on the ground level in the four districts of the state.
"Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura convened a meeting to review the physical and financial achievements registered under NSM project.
"It was decided in the meeting that Additional District Development Commissioners of Pulwama, Srinagar, Budgam and Kishtwar districts will conduct special inquiry into the implementation of NSM on ground level and working of the officers under the project," an official spokesperson said here.
He the minister asked the concerned officials to submit their report within one month.
Detailed discussion was held in the meeting on the transfer of technology, irrigation facilities, stopping of illegal construction on saffron land, mechanisation status and conduct of survey, the spokesperson said.
He said Hanjura asked the officers to achieve the targets in full and complete the Saffron Mission in a time bound manner.
The minister also directed the officers of Agriculture Production Department to come with a comprehensive proposal for import of machinery like planters and diggers to increase the efficiency of saffron corms and submit the same to the concerned quarters for sanction.
He directed the concerned to ensure distribution of quality corms among the farmers and ensure corm size from 6 to 8 grams.
Creation of irrigation facility was also discussed and it was informed that Spice Park at a cost of Rs 23 crore is under execution at Dasu village at Pampore.
Hanjura directed the executing agency National Horticulture Board (NHB) to speed up the pace of work and complete it within stipulated time frame.
The meeting was informed that 1959.685 hectares of traditional saffron land has been rejuvenated and replanted so far against the target of 3,715 hectares benefiting 19,270 farmers of Kashmir Division, the spokesperson said.
He said Hanjura also directed the Mechanical Department to speed up the pace of work on all ongoing irrigation pumps and complete them in a time frame.
The Minister directed for stopping constructions on saffron land immediately and asked the concerned officials to take strong action against the violators.
Hanjura asked the agriculture department to involve progressive farmers while framing any project for the benefit of the farmers, the spokesperson added. PTI