Probe SCARD Bank, fisheries pond scams: Satish
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU. Feb 17: Expressing serious concern over decline in the production of world famous Saffron of Kashmir, National Conference (NC) MLA from Pampore, Hasnain Masoodi today termed the PM’s Saffron Mission a total failure, while BJP MLA from Billawar, Satish Sharma demanded a probe into Rs 184 crore SCARD Bank scam and washing away of the fish pond in Mandli Billawar area on river Ujh on which crores of rupees have been spent.
Both the MLAs made these revelations while participating in debate on annual grants of Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Cooperative Ministries in UT Assembly today.
Masoodi, while terming the PM’s Saffron Mission a total failure, said that the production of the crop has declined to five percent in Pampore tehsil of South Kashmir. Despite being the crash crop of the area, he said Saffron production has declined from 22,500 kgs to 4000/ 5000 kgs now which is a cause of concern for all.
He said Rs 500 crore were sanctioned under the PM Saffron Mission and Rs 411 crore were to be incurred on construction of bore wells in the area. He said out of 129 tube wells which were reportedly dug under the scheme for sprinkle irrigation but they are nowhere on ground.
Masoodi said in reply to his question, he was informed in the House that the Saffron production has been 20,000 kgs last year which is totally wrong as the production in last year was not more than 5000 kgs. He demanded a result oriented revival programme be initiated to save the Saffron crop which is identity to Kashmir. He also alleged that the role of SKUAST is not also good in this regard.
Masoodi also stressed on boosting of milk production in his constituency which is producing eight lakh litres of milk and demanded three milk plants be set up in his area.
Satish Sharma, who showed his serious concern over SCARD (State Cooperative Agriculture Rural Development) Bank working said people have deposited Rs 184 crore in the Bank but they are unable to get the money back. The people have deposited their hard earned money in the Bank and when they approach to withdraw the money they are denied the same. Terming it a big scam, he said it will also have a bad impact on J&K Bank and Government needs to investigate the matter.
Sharma said crores of rupees were spent to construct a fisheries pond and building in Mandli Billawar but entire pond and building was washed away by flash floods thereby putting State exchequer to a loss of crores of rupees. He demanded a probe into the matter and punishment to officers who approved the construction of pond at a site which was prone to floods.
He also alleged that the property of cooperatives is being totally misused and there is mismanagement in Cooperative Societies. He stressed on growing of tea and Zaitoon (Olive) in Shivalik region of Jammu. He also stressed on use of organic fertilizer instead of chemical fertilizer.
Congress MLA, G A Mir, while showing concern over Indo-US Trade deal,said it will directly hit agriculture and horticulture of Kashmir. He said earlier the people of J&K suffered through seasonal damages and rain now Indo -US deal will hit fruit growers hard. He urged the Government of J&K to take up this issue with Union Government.
Mir also criticised the renaming of MGNREGA as VG RAM G Act. He said MGNREGA was best scheme framed by Dr Manmohan Singh Government and under new scheme the plan will be framed by Government of India which has no knowledge of local requirements. This will become a serious issue in coming times, he added.
The Congress leader also expressed concern over conversion of Agriculture land into horticulture and construction of buildings and demanded that the same be stopped immediately otherwise no land will be found for agriculture in future.
Mir also demanded measures be taken for boosting Mushkbudj form of paddy produced in Kashmir. Fisheries production be given boost by encouraging people in rural belt of J&K, he added.
Irshad Kar of NC demanded Horticulture University be established in Kashmir and Sopore which is second largest fruit Mandi in Asia be decongested so that timely fruit reaches to Mandis. He demanded GST be kept on lower slab and Government of India be pursued in this regard besides, Kiwi farms be established in Kashmir.
MLA, Surankote, Choudhary Akram alleged that twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri have been constantly ignored in agriculture and horticulture sectors by the Government with the result these two districts remain far behind. He said Rajouri has lot of scope for horticulture and Government should launch awareness camps for people to motivate them for establishing fruit orchards.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) MLA Waheed Ur Rehman Para while participating in the debate pressed for convening an all-party meeting to discuss the impact of free trade agreements with foreign countries on Jammu and Kashmir’s horticulture sector, particularly the apple industry.
He said a collective appeal should be made urging the Prime Minister to consider the matter. Para said an all-party meeting would help evolve a common stand on the issue.
“If you call an all-party meeting and discuss this issue, an appeal can be made to the Prime Minister to consider the matter. For Kashmir, our problems of unemployment and our efforts to come out of militancy — after facing a prolonged phase — are closely linked to economic revival,” he said.
The PDP Legislator asserted that Jammu and Kashmir’s economy cannot revive unless the apple industry is safeguarded.
Calling the Indo-US trade agreement an issue that cuts across party lines, Para urged the Chief Minister to convene a meeting involving the BJP and other opposition parties, besides Congress and the ruling dispensation, to collectively address concerns of farmers and horticulturists.
NC MLA from Banihal, Sajad Shaheen stressed need for new innovations in Agriculture sector and advanced irrigation system. Alleging that all plans are made Kashmir Centric or Jammu centric, he urged the Government that regions like Banihal be considered in formulation of plans.
The MLA demanded established of an Agriculture centre for Excellence in Banihal, promotion of Jafran in Chambalbaas, Gool and other areas, spreading awareness among Tribals for new livestock breeds, revival of seed centre, opening of a cooperative school and Veterinary Hospital in Banihal, mobile veterinary centre for nomads etc.
Peerzada Farooq Shah of NC said that Jammu and Kashmir has huge potential for agriculture and horticulture production and the Government should focus on promotion of specific products of each region. He stressed the need to boost production of R S Pura Basmati, Mushkbudi rice of Kashmir, more cold storage facility for avoiding post harvest difficulties, , revival of sericulture in J&K.
Farooq Shah also drew attention towards multiple controls in Rural Development Department and said that the same creates hurdles in smooth implementation of the projects. He also demanded reconstitution of J&K Kissan Board.
BJP MLA Surjit Singh Slathia expressed serious concern over reducing space for cooperative movement and drew attention towards alleged loot in SCARD Bank as 22000 account holders are on road seeking release of their deposits. He appealed the Minister to make the bank officers accountable and take action against those who were responsible for the alleged fraud of Rs 180 crores.
The BJP MLA also highlighted the issue of monkey menace in Kandi area and said that people were unable to cultivate their land. He demanded promotion of citrus fruit in Kandi area.
Prof Gharu Ram of BJP said that young generation is distance itself from agriculture because of no profit in farming. He stressed the need to make agriculture profit oriented by promoting increase in production, high quality seed , crop diversification, post harvest management, financial support to the farmers providing agriculture tool on subsidized rates, efficient marketing network and coordination between both the agriculture universities in J&K. He stressed that on the line of saffron mission, basmati production be taken up at national mission mode.
Independent MLA from Shopian, Shabir Kullay, demanded subsidy for farmers to purchase hail nets and called for establishment of a Horticulture University in his constituency on around 2000 kanals of available departmental land.
BJP MLA from Marh Assembly segment, Surinder Kumar sought setting up of a vegetable market, stating that nearly 75% of Jammu city’s vegetable needs are met from his constituency.
He also demanded a Basmati procurement mandi, cold storage facility and enhanced relief for farmers affected by flash floods, expressing concern over Rs 220 per kanal compensation.
NC MLA from Trehgam, Mir Saifullah, highlighted shortage of BDOs across the UT and said delays in plan formulation were affecting project execution.
He called for research in paddy crops, paddy insurance, quality control of apple seeds, cold storage for North Kashmir and facilities for high-density apple saplings.
NC MLA Reyaz Ahmed Khan from Shangus-Anantnag East demanded establishment of at least one waste dumping site in every panchayat to check environmental degradation. He also sought strict regulation of pesticides and a Wool Board for the region.
BJP MLA Dalip Parihar from Bhaderwah demanded equal wages for GRS at par with Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, timely supply of DAP and urea, and vegetable markets at Bhaderwah and Gundoh.
BJP MLA Dr Bharat Bhushan from Kathua sought timely fertilizer distribution, promotion of bio-fertilizers and setting up of a Mushroom Research and Development Centre in Kathua.
He also stressed expansion of lavender cultivation to hilly areas, construction of a new horticulture office, clearing of MGNREGA liabilities and regularisation of pending DRDA employees.
Congress MLA Iftkhar Ahmed from Rajouri criticised the reduction in central share under the new rural scheme replacing MGNREGA and demanded timely release of material payments. He also sought offline access to agricultural schemes, waiver of KCC loans and a Wool Board.
Peoples Conference MLA Sajad Lone from Handwara raised concerns over frequent National Highway closures affecting orchardists and urged safeguards in view of the proposed Indo-US trade deal. He also flagged corporate monopoly in post-harvest subsidies.
NC MLA Ahsan Pardesi from Lal Chowk and Independent MLA Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh from Langate also raised issues related to shortage of staff, animal husbandry hospitals and restructuring in the Rural Development Department.
BJP MLA from Doda, Shakti Raj Parihar, Javed claimed that as per new norms of the Union Government, 125 days job guarantee has been assured under the new scheme replacing MGNREGA and 90:10 share of Centre Vs State/UT has been fixed for the Jammu and Kashmir on the pattern of North/ Eastern states. He said that some political parties are creating misinformation among the people over it. He further claimed that work plans will be formed by the Gram Sabhas of the respective Panchayats. He said previous UPA Govt spent Rs 28 lakh crore on the scheme up to 2014 while Modi Govt brought many reforms including DBT system removing out middlemen and spent Rs 8 lakh crore up to Dec 2025 on the scheme. He demanded delimitation of Panchayats before going for PRI elections.
CPI(M) Member, Mohd Yousuf Tarigami from Kulgam, while drawing the attention of the minister and the House stressed the need for keeping a check on the use of fertilizers and pesticides in the crop in J&K and said that this practice is giving rise to the ailments like cancer and many others besides spoiling soil health. He demanded formation of a policy on it and saving J&K citizens from various diseases. It is great threat to the human life.
Tarigami said earlier on MGNREGA scheme there was job guarantee to the labour class but now there is no guarantee and accountability. He said the Panchayati Raj act is not being implemented in letter and spirit in the UT and there is need to act in this direction. He also referred to the MGNREGA liabilities and stressed the need to clear money of the poor worker class.
BJP MLA from Ramgarh, Dr D K Manyal stressed the need to provide support to the farmers of Ramgarh area in the production of various varieties of fruits. The MLA referred to the production of stawerry crop by a farmer of Ramgarh and said a bumper crops has been produced by the farmers. He said another farmer has produced apple crop. The farmers of this belt want to produce fruit crops but need strong support from the Govt. He said that the minister should sent experts from SKUAST and Horticulture department to the area to help progressive farmers of the area. He said that ownership rights of the land be given to the DPs of PoJK. He sought marketing facilities/ support for the Lakhpati Didi and Women’s Self Help Groups under Rural Livelihood Mission.
Congress MLA Nizamuddin Bhat gave certain suggestions and stressed the need for plantation of trees while taking up any type of construction, formulate water conservation plan, proper planning and coordination between various agencies, setting up a Sabzimandi in his constituency, Bandipora, develop fish ponds, and provide veterinary and sheep husbandry centres in remote locations of his constituency.
National Conference MLA Nazir Gurezi lauded minister for bringing revolution in Animal Husbandry sector and said there is high potential in his constituency and sheep breeding centres, must of set up there. He also demanded development of more fish ponds so that economy of the people of this remote area is increased. Efforts must be utilized to grow Ladakhi apricot in Gurez area as its climate is most suitable for the same. The MLA also demanded to set up polygreen houses in this belt as it remains snow bound for long and the people have to depend on the dry vegetables.
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