Ajay Sharma
Rajouri, March 16
Instead of clearing Horticulture pending subsidy liabilities, the Horticulture Department continues to sanction cases under horticulture initiatives, including fruit plant distributions and irrigation support such as water tanks and bore-wells.
According to sources, the Horticulture Department had conducted regular awareness camps in villages, encouraging people to plant fruit trees like oranges, lemons, guavas, and others through online booking systems.
“These programs promise substantial government subsidies—often described as zero cost to beneficiaries after initial planting—and additional support for irrigation infrastructure under various schemes,” said sources, adding that many farmers reportedly followed the guidance, submitted applications, and planted saplings years ago.
However, they claimed that promised financial assistance and reimbursements remain pending at the ground level, with “zero benefit” materialized despite repeated assurances.
When contacted, Minister of Horticulture, the Director of the Horticulture, and the Chief Horticulture Officer in Rajouri assured that liabilities would be cleared “very soon.” Yet, years later, farmers say no tangible payments have reached them.
Sources argued that new sanctions and awareness drives continue unabated, even as old dues accumulate.
“Why officers approve fresh projects without resolving prior commitments, potentially misleading beneficiaries,” questioned few beneficiaries awaiting the assured subsidy, adding that some farmers expressed intent to approach the High Court in Jammu if delays persist.
Meanwhile, they have also urged higher authorities—including the Lieutenant Governor’s administration, the Jammu Kashmir government, and even the central government to intervene.
They asked where the funds in crores disappeared if treasury shortages are not the issue, especially when schemes like those under the Holistic Horticulture Development Programme (HADP) and others promote subsidies for mechanization, high-density planting, and irrigation.
Official sources indicated that horticulture schemes in Jammu and Kashmir, including area expansion, plant protection and irrigation support, continue across districts, with budgets and targets set annually.
