Union ministers visit Baramulla, Kishtwar

Srinagar: The Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Pashupati Kumar Paras visited Pattan in Baramulla district, interacted with fruit growers and inaugurated horticulture stalls while Union minister Bishweswar Tudu conducted a day-long tour of the far-flung Paddar in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir and assured people that the central government is bound for the development of the union territory.
The visit of Union Ministers is part of the Centre's public outreach programme in the union territory.
Pashupati Kumar Paras inaugurated some stalls installed by horticulture and other related departments. These stalls displayed different fruit varieties that are locally grown.
Paras interacted with some fruit growers of Pattan during which they shared their feedback and farming experiences with the minister.
The minister urged them to adopt latest and scientific methodologies in their fields, adding that such interventions have the ability to leverage productivity.
He said the food processing sector has immense potential and there is a need of value addition of horticultural products so as to yield better and enhanced dividends. He reiterated that the central government is committed to ensure the welfare of farmers, besides doubling their income.
The fruit growers also raised some vital issues and demands which include establishment of cold storage facility, continuation of market intervention scheme, and hassle-free movement on national highway of vehicles carrying fruits to different markets.
Paras gave a patient hearing to the fruit growers and assured that all the genuine grievances shall be taken with the authorities concerned for their timely redressal. He said the current outreach programme aims to listen to the public's demands at the grassroots level so that a common man avail benefits of different welfare schemes and programmes.
He also inspected some high density orchards.
The minister distributed authorisation letters to farmers for purchasing subsidised farming machineries under the prime minister's development programme.
Meanwhile, Tudu, the Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Tribal Affairs, reached Kishtwar on Saturday on a three-day tour as part of the Union government's public outreach programme.
"The central government is bound for the development of Jammu and Kashmir and is extending every possible help to the people of the union territory," the minister said.
He, however, said people have to wait and feel the difference in developmental scenarios on the ground level.
During the tour, the minister inaugurated the New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC) building at Sohal constructed at a cost of Rs 171.45 lakh and Tourism Facilitation Centre at Gulabgarh of Sub-Division Paddar, which was completed at a cost of Rs 244.08 lakh, besides chairing a public grievance redressal camp there, an official spokesperson said.
Tudu also held an interactive meeting with Panchayati Raj Institution members, senior citizens, Himalayan Buddhist Society and political parties. He also met self-help groups and the youth club members at the Block Development Officer's office in Gulabgarh.
He congratulated the people of Paddar and said the NTPHC will add to the medical relief of Sohal and adjoining areas, and the TFC will cater to the needs of tourists and pilgrims at Gulabgarh base camp for annual Machail Mata Yatra.
Enroute, he also visited the Dul Hasti HEP and reviewed the outlay plan, besides taking stock of daily activities and power generation capacity of the plant, the spokesperson said.
Updated On 9/27/2021 11:47:31 AM