Pampore independent candidate Shah rues decline of Saffron Industry

Pulwama, sep 03 : Mohammad Maqbool Shah, an Independent candidate contesting for the Pampore Assembly Constituency, has voiced deep concerns over the significant decline in the saffron industry, which he attributes to the alleged lack of vision and inadequate supervision by previous elected representatives.
In an interview with Rising Kashmir, Shah, a former advocate, lamented the downfall of Pampore’s saffron industry, once renowned globally for producing high-quality saffron.
He mentioned that saffron was not just a crop but the primary source of income for many local farmers.
“There has been around an 80 percent decrease in production,” Shah said, expressing his disappointment over the decline of this prestigious industry.
Shah highlighted the extensive financial resources allocated for the rejuvenation of the saffron industry under the National Saffron Mission (NSM).
However, he criticised the improper use of these funds, suggesting that despite the large investments, there has been no substantial improvement in saffron production.
“The money was not used judiciously,” Shah claimed, pointing out that the lack of proper research and execution has led to the current crisis.
The candidate held previous representatives accountable for the decline of the saffron industry who, according to him, lacked the vision and commitment to address the needs and aspirations of the people in their constituency.
He believed that proper execution and allocation of resources should have been ensured by those in power, yet this responsibility was not fulfilled.
A key issue Shah raised was the ineffective implementation of irrigation facilities for saffron fields. He said that although 90 bore wells were constructed and irrigation pipes were laid, these resources have not been utilized effectively.
“The bore wells were not made operational, and irrigation pipes have been lifted away from the saffron fields,” he said.
Shah also expressed concerns over the closure of the JK Cement Factory in Khrew, Pampore, which he described as another significant blow to the local economy.
The closure, he said, has deprived hundreds of young people of their livelihoods and further weakened the economic fabric of the region.
Shah mentioned that Pampore Constituency was once self-sufficient in agriculture, a status it has lost over the past two decades due to neglect by elected representatives.
He said that his decision to run in the election was driven by the hardships faced by the people and the lack of basic facilities in the region.
“I was not interested in contesting the elections, but seeing the people’s suffering and the lack of basic facilities, I had no choice but to step forward,” Shah explained.
As an independent candidate, Shah is advocating for a comprehensive revival of all essential sectors in his constituency, including agriculture, industry, education, and healthcare.