Srinagar, Dec 29: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has identified land at fifteen places in both Kashmir and Jammu regions for the construction of the grain stores under the ‘World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan’ in the Cooperative Sector, officials on Friday said.
Registrar, Cooperative Department J&K, Mohammad Akbar Wani told Rising Kashmir that land identification is under process for the construction of stores under the ‘World’s Largest Grain Store plan” and so far they have identified fifteen places in the Union Territory.
“As per the new circular by the Ministry of Cooperation, we have been directed to identify land under the scheme at several places in each district of the UT. The land identification is under process and after that the revenue department will transfer the land to the department, “he added.
The Pilot project is being implemented by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) with the support of NABARD, Food Corporation of India (FCI), Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC), NABARD Consultancy Services (NABCONS), National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC), etc. in different States/ UTs.
Another official at the department said that they have already completed a survey of 8 Kanal 10 Marla state land for the construction of grain storage in Block Barnoti of the Kathua district. The survey was conducted through NABARD, NABCONS.
“Indent for transfer of title of the said piece of state land placed with the Deputy Commissioner Kathua to transfer title of land in favor of Cooperative Department,” he said.
The officer said to ensure accountability and smooth, effective, and transparent implementation of the plan, the Ministry of Cooperation has constituted an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC), which is authorized to modify guidelines of the schemes identified for convergence, as and when the need arises.
“A National Level Coordination Committee (NLCC) has also been constituted having members from Ministry, Departments, Central Government agencies concerned to steer the overall implementation of the Plan and reviewing the progress of implementation, etc,” he said.
The officer said to monitor the implementation of the project and to ensure its seamless integration with the existing policies/programs at State level, State Cooperative Development Committee (SCDC) at State level and the District Cooperative Development Committee (DCDC) in each District of UT have also been constituted.
“Through this scheme, farmers will be able to store their produce in the godown constructed at PACS and avail bridge finance for the next cycle of crop and sell the produce at a time of their choice or sell their whole crop to the PACS at Minimum Support Price (MSP), which would enable them to avoid distress sale of crops.
“They will be able to get various agri inputs and services at the Panchayat/ village level itself. Through diversification of business, farmers will be able to get additional sources of income,” he added.
