STATE TIMES NEWS
KATHUA: Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh on Thursday said that doubling farmers’ income was the main goal of the government and for this every possible step is being taken by it.
“Providing better price for their produce, subsidy on farm inputs and latest technical intervention in farm practices are the areas where government is focusing to achieve this ambitious target” Dy CM told farmers after inaugurating paddy procurement centres here at Dungara and Lakhri of Tehsil Billawar. These centres have been established by department of Agriculture in collaboration with FCI.
The Vice Chairman state advisory Board for Development of Kissans, Daljit Singh Chib was also present at the inaugural functions. Dr Singh said that these procurement centres will promote healthy competition among private millers to give maximum price to farmers and discourage the unfair practices. He said that new procurement policy has been made farmer friendly by opening centres at close distances. He informed that the minimum support price for Grade A (Semi Fine) paddy has been fixed Rs. 1,590 per quintal where as the price for coarse paddy is Rs. 1,550 per quintal. For facilitating the farmers, DyCM announced Rs 5 Lakh seed money from his CDF for the establishment of permanent paddy procurement centre at Billawar.
An awareness camp on SBM and MGNREGA was also organized by the Rural Development Department at village Lakhri where DyCM was the chief guest. Financial assistance under PMAY and for construction of IHHL was also given to the beneficiaries amounting to several thousands. While addressing a gathering at Lakhri, Deputy Chief Minister reiterated Government’s resolve to conduct Panchayat elections in near future to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions as part of the larger vision of decentralization of power. He said PRIs will get strengthened after Panchayat Polls to ensure active participation of people at grassroots level in day-to-day governance and formulation of developmental policies.
Dy CM also announced that Mandli block of Billawar would soon achieve the status of ODF block of district Kathua. Later, the Dy CM listened to public issues at public grievances redress camps organized at Gujroo Nagrota and Dher. People in large numbers apprised the Dy CM about various problems being faced by them and sought their early redressal.
Others present were ADC Billawar, Joginder Singh Rai, ACD Kathua, Rohit Khajuria, DAO, Davinder Sharma, GM FCI, Kishore Kumar, SDAOs, BDOs, Tehsildars, SDPO Billawar, Social Activist, Mamta Singh, prominent citizens, villagers in large numbers and other district and sub division level officers.