KATHUA: The first-ever modern and exclusive Seed Processing Unit in the State of Jammu and Kashmir will be set up at Kathua and the letter to this effect has been issued by Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh. The District Administration has also identified a 2-acre piece of land for the purpose near Kathua city. This was announced here on Saturday by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh while addressing a programme organised to highlight the progress of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao and other Central Government schemes in the district. Dr Jitendra said, Kathua is an important nucleus center of this Lok Sabha constituency and in the last two years, it is credited for having been bestowed with several “firsts” in the State. For example, the first Bio-tech Park of J and K is to come up at Gati near here and the game-changer Keediyan-Gadhiyal bridge near Lakhanpur is, the first of its kind, inter-State bridge. Similarly, the Seed Processing Unit to be set up here will also be the first of its kind in J and K, he said.With the setting up of this unit, Dr Jitendra explained, not only the farmers here but even in neighbouring States like Himachal Pradesh, will be able to procure high quality seed for cultivation.
In addition, the Unit will also generate employment avenues for the youth, he added. He also advised Deputy Commissioner Kathua to expedite the process of registering Soil Health Cards for farmers.
In response to a demand by local MLA, Rajeev Jasrotia for more funds for upcoming Dreamland Park in the town, Dr Jitendra said, he had already allocated Rs. 40 lakh from his MP-LAD fund and will also try to give as much more as possible.
Dr Singh regretted that he had given Rs. 34 lakh from MP-LAD fund to the Railway Department for construction of passenger benches and sheds at Kathua and Udhampur Railway Stations, but one year has passed and till date, there is no progress.
He asked Deputy Commissioner to immediately follow-up the matter with local Railway authorities.
Dr Singh also referred to the installation of computers by him in three schools in the district and completion of over 200 Sulabh toilets out of 1120 in the first phase in border areas of the district.
Rajeev Jasrotia, MLA Kathua, lauded Dr Jitendra Singh for the promptness with which during just few weeks of additional charge of Sports Ministry with him, he had sanctioned 22 indoor Stadiums for J&K, thereby ensuring one Stadium each for each of the 22 district headquarters in the State. He hoped that the State Government will follow up this order expeditiously.
Jasrotia also thanked Dr Jitendra Singh for the keen interest taken by him in Shapur Kandi Project and hoped that the State Government will respond appropriately to ensure that the work starts at the earliest. Deputy Commissioner Kathua Ramesh Kumar gave an update on the progress of various projects undertaken in the district and also assured Dr Jitendra Singh that, as desired by him, the district will achieve the target of 100% rural electrification under “Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana” by March 2017.
BJP District President Prem Nath Dogra, senior officers of Administration and civil society representatives were present on the occasion. “Baby Care” kits and clothes were distributed to the mothers of new born babies as a part of “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” programme.