Jammu, Nov 11: Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha stated on Friday that his administration has proposed 29 new interventions to strengthen agriculture and allied sectors in Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a public gathering after paying obeisance to Baba Jitto and Bua Kauri at the historic Jhiri shrine in Jammu, the Lieutenant Governor said that his government had requested an apex committee led by Dr. Mangla Rai, former DG, ICAR, to present a “vision and mission” for the agriculture sector in Jammu and Kashmir.
“I am happy to share with you all that the expert members of the apex committee have toiled hard and readied a five years plan for the UT’s agriculture and allied sectors by proposing 29 new interventions that will help J&K farmers become self-reliant,” Sinha told the gathering.
The Lieutenant Governor said that he has read the complete report prepared by Dr. Mangla Rai-led panel “I strongly believe that we’re the only State/UT to have prepared such a comprehensive report on the agriculture and allied sectors.”
“The main purpose of preparing such a report would be fulfilled only after the recommendations of this report are converted into reality by involving the farmers and other stakeholders. And this responsibility lies on the shoulders of the administration,” Sinha further said.
“I’ll be the happiest person when over 70% of J&K’s agrarian economy comprising over 13 lakh farmer families are benefited on ground from such an important report,” he added.
Sinha said that J&K has left its past behind and is steadily moving towards progress and prosperity under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“And this is evident from a recent NITI Aayog report which has put J&K at third slot after Punjab and Haryana in farmers income,” he said.
The Lt Governor underlined the importance of government-public partnership in the development process. “We must focus on community driven development. Locals, PRIs members and other stakeholders of the society should come together to create an institutional mechanism to improve the facilities for devotees visiting this historical Mela,” he said.
The Lt Governor said that the UT Government is working with a strong resolve to ensure that every individual gets equal rights, equal opportunities and every stakeholder to be a partner in J&K’s development journey.
Speaking about the annual Mela, the Lieutenant Governor said that there is strong need to institutionalise the Mela arrangements as lakhs of devotees from across the country visit Jhiri shrine every year.
“People are attached with the values and ethics of Baba Jitto and Bua Kauri, whose lives are a perfect example of hard work and sacrifice. So, I strongly feel that the Divisional Commissioner Jammu should discuss the modalities with the stakeholders to institutionalise the Mela, by December 15,” he said.
Sinha also complimented theatre personality Balwant Thakur for telling the world about the rich values and culture of Baba Jitto and Bua Kauri.
