Uttarakhand: Garden department in discussions again, action on additional director and former officer, department issued charge sheet
The Horticulture Department of Uttarakhand, which is often in the news, has once again come into the news. In fact, in the year 2020, the Horticulture Department had given paper lemon plants to the farmers in Rudraprayag district. But wild jamir fruit was produced in the paper lemon plants. After the matter came to light, the entire matter was investigated through the District Magistrate. In such a situation, now after the investigation report of the District Magistrate, charge sheets have been issued against the Additional Director and the then District Horticulture Officer.
In fact, Agriculture Minister Ganesh Joshi held a press conference on Thursday, February 13, regarding the achievements of the Agriculture and Horticulture Department. During this, the Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister said,
On the basis of the investigation report of M/s Sanjeevani Nursery, departmental action has been initiated against Additional Director Dr. RK Singh and the then District Horticulture Officer (Retired) Yogendra Singh Chaudhary for negligence during the selection of nursery and verification of plants at that time. The Horticulture Department has also issued charge sheets. Instructions have also been issued to take action against the concerned nursery under the Nursery Act and other prevailing rules and put it in the black list.
The minister said that the plant is the soul of the farmers and this type of negligence will not be tolerated at all. Action has been taken by the government on all the complaints received till date. Other nurseries and officials have also been instructed to be vigilant. So that such negligence does not happen in future. The minister said that to increase the livelihood of the farmers, arrangements have been made in the upcoming budget to increase the cultivation of Makhana and the production of water chestnut in the lakes being built under the Amrit Sarovar Yojana in Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar. Floriculture is being promoted in the state.
Ganesh Joshi said that the agro-climatic and geographical conditions of Uttarakhand are highly favorable for all horticultural crops (fruits, vegetables, spices, flowers, mushrooms and beekeeping). Efforts are being made by the department for the development of these crops under various schemes. To promote the intensive cultivation of apple, a scheme has been approved with the aim of increasing the current apple business of Rs 200 crore to Rs 2000 crore by covering 5 thousand hectares of area at a cost of Rs 808.79 crore in 8 years under the state sector.
60 percent government assistance is being provided to the farmers in this. And about 45 thousand to 50 thousand jobs will be created under this scheme. He said that last year 2 lakh apple plants were planted. Whereas this year about 12 lakh plants have been planted. More than 50 thousand polyhouses are going to be set up in the state. For which an arrangement of Rs 300 crore has been made. To promote high value crops in the state, Kiwi scheme of Rs 16.56 crore was approved under the Chief Minister State Agriculture Development Scheme. In relation to which 10 crore has been released. Also, Kiwi Mission Scheme is being prepared by the government to promote kiwi production in all the hill districts of the state.
