Says won’t object to development work; urges minister to take up implementation of crop insurance scheme for horticulture on priority, HADP brought revolution
Kulgam, Jun 14: Drawing a line, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday today cleared the delusion about the common rhetoric that elected government does not have all powers to govern in Jammu Kashmir UT as most of the powers rest with Lieutenant Governor.
Addressing a function in Kulgam in Kashmir in the presence of two ministers, Sakina Ittoo Health Minister and Javed Ahmad Dar Agriculture Minister besides DDC Chairman and other senior officers, Sinha said that only police come under his control while rest of the departments fall within the domain of the elected government.
At the closing ceremony of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan at Khudwani in this Kashmir, LG Sinha, said that the progress of agriculture sector is must as huge population is dependent on this sector.
Responding to a set of demands from the farming community, including inclusion of horticulture under the Crop Insurance Scheme, LG Sinha said, “You said, ‘LG Sahab, give us something.’ “The only thing I can give you are the police personnel. Rest — roads, water, power, agriculture — fall under the government’s domain. I won’t object to any development work initiated by the elected regime.”
The remark came in response to a statement of Minister Sakina Itoo. It was received with applause and appreciation for its candidness. “I have no objection if the elected government acts on your pleas. I stand with you.” The LG said.
LG Sinha called the mission a “transformative step toward building a resilient, modern, and prosperous agricultural landscape in Jammu and Kashmir.”
“Our ultimate goal is to make every farmer in J&K UT a proud stakeholder in India’s journey toward becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047. We are committed to build a stronger farm economy, increase rural employment, and enhance farmer incomes,” the LG said.
He pointed out notable improvements under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), which has “brought a revolution in agri and allied sectors” including mustard cultivation, trout production, and beekeeping. “The HADP is the first revolutionary program in agriculture in any state or UT in recent times. It is a comprehensive strategy, designed to make J&K UT a robust Rs. 1 trillion agricultural economy by 2030,” he said.
Mustard farming, he said provides triple benefits: reducing dependence on imported edible oil, generating fodder, and promoting apiculture through early bee arrival.
He said that there were just three districts that were under Fasal Bhima Yojna when he took over as LG but currently all 20 districts have been covered under it.
On the issue of crop insurance for horticulture, Sinha stated that it was a long-pending demand of the people. “The decision lies with the government, but I urge the concerned minister to pursue it. There will be no opposition from Raj Bhawan,” he said.
“I am happy to share that in December 2022, the cold storage capacity in Jammu and Kashmir was 1.40 lakh metric tonnes. By January 2024, it has more than doubled,” said Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
“Fish production has increased by 33%, significantly boosting trout production. In 2020, the milk processing capacity was 35,000 litres, which has now increased six times. To enhance agricultural trade, 17 mandis have been connected. In a short span, farmers in J&K have achieved trade worth Rs 1,050 crore through this initiative,” he said.
He also congratulated the Mountain Research Centre for Field Crops for the development of 20 rice varieties keeping in mind the agro-ecology of Kashmir.
A two- minute silence was observed in the memory of citizens who lost their lives in the Pahalgam Terror Attack.
Javid Ahmad Dar, Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj; Sakina Itoo, Minister for Education, Health & Medical Education and Social Welfare; Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor; Prof Nazir Ah. Ganai, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST Kashmir, VK Birdi, IGP Kashmir, scientists, experts, faculty, students and members from farming community were present.
Mohammad Afzal Parray, Chairman, DDC Kulgam; Members of Legislative Assembly, HoDs, and prominent citizens from all walks of life were also present.(KNO).
