THEDAILY

VOICE OF SRINAGAR

SRINAGAR, WEDNESDAY, 20 SHABAN 1433 AH ; 11 JULY 2012

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NEWS

Omar pays rich tributes to Madr-e-Meherban

Describes her epitome of courage, compassionate mother of the nation

             SRINAGAR, JULY 10 – Paying rich tributes to Madr-e-Meherban Begum Akbar Jehan on her death anniversary, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has described her epitome of courage and compassionate mother of the nation.

            “It was Madr-e-Meherban who always supported Sher-i-Kashmir and spare headed his mission when he was in jail with determination and commitment”, he said adding that Begum Akbar Jehan dedicated her life to people and worked tirelessly for their welfare and development with special focus on downtrodden, weaker sections, women and children.

            The Chief Minister said that constitution of Gujjar and Bakerwal Advisory Board, Mobile Schools and Mobile Dispensaries, energizing Red Cross movement and establishment of Miskeen Bagh Education and Craft Training Centre for Women were some of the historic decisions taken by the Government on the advice of Begum Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.

            “Proper nurturing of children particularly belonging to weaker sections, Gujjar and Bakerwals and other economically downtrodden categories was her highest dream to realize. She worked throughout her life in this direction”, he said adding that holistic development of women and children and their educational excellence was her aim in life.

            “From my childhood, I remained closely attached to my Dadi and found her always working for the welfare of people especially women and children. Whenever I entered her room, I saw her either offering Nimaz or reciting Quran. I saw her always praying for the betterment and welfare of the people and prosperity of the State”, Omar said and added that the best way to pay homage to Madr-e-Meherban is to carry forward her mission of devoting selfless service to the people and treating all with love and affection.

Farmers to be helped through scientific Warehousing: CS

Will provide support to state Government: Rai

 Major Horticulture Belts a top priority

            SRINAGAR, JULY 10: Underscoring the need for creating more storage facilities to preserve the perishable commodities of food items and fruits, Chief Secretary Madhav Lal in a high level meeting with Chairman Warehouse Development & Regulatory Authority (WDRA), Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Mr Dinesh Rai said that the state government is keen to develop warehouse infrastructure and cold storage facilities for farmers and fruit growers in order for them to profitably hold onto their produce and also fill in the demand round the year for products like milk, fish, meat, fruits and vegetables  which are quickly perishable.

The High Level meeting which was also attended by member WDRA Mr. Karnail Singh, Commissioner Secretary Agricultural Production Shaleen Kabra, Secretary CA&PD Mohammad Abbas Dar, other senior officers and J&k Bank representatives discussed various issues related to warehouse infrastructural development and creation in Jammu and Kashmir, introduction and extension of Post Harvest Loan to farmers and introduction of negotiable warehouse receipt system in the state.

Chairman WDRA Dinesh Rai said that full assistance to the state will be provided so that considerable number of accredited and registered warehouses and storage facilities are created and dispersed in significant production belts especially related to horticultural produce. “We want to help the farmer and the fruit grower of the state through scientific warehousing of agricultural and horticultural commodities. A large gap exists between the production and the storage facilities available right now and we have to bridge that gap” he said adding that even for food grains, pulses etc we need storage warehouses.

Giving details WDRA Chairman said that over a period of time, negotiable warehouse receipts would become a prime tool of trade, beneficial for all stakeholders, be it godown owners, farmers or consumers. Tonnes of grains, pulses, oilseeds, fruits and vegetables go waste because of improper storage facilities.  Moreover, farmers and fruit growers have very little power to profitably hold onto his produce. He has to either sell it in the market at the prevailing rate and incur loss or store it in decrepit warehouses. He is also left at the mercy of local and outside Mandis, he added

Mr. Rai said once the negotiable warehouse receipt system is in place, the farmer gets an officially recognised receipt against which he can take loan from bank for further farming activities or alternatively selling his produce to a third person by endorsing the receipt, without even taking physical possession. Banks will also show interest in lending registered warehouses as they have been recognised by a central level authority. The introduction of negotiable warehouse receipt system in the state will help farmers avail better credit facilities and avoid distress sale and also safeguard financial institutions by mitigating risks inherent in credit extension to farmers

Mr. Rai informed the meeting that as of now 115 agricultural commodities and 26 horticultural commodities including Apple have been notified by the WDRA. He said as the demanded by the Jammu and Kashmir government we will also include other food and fruit items including Pear, walnut, saffron, etc in the list of notified commodities.

Chief Secretary Madhav Lal informed Chairman WDRA that already several proposals regarding setting up of controlled atmosphere and cold storage facilities by entrepreneurs have been received and once the economic viability of these proposals is established and with this framework in place it is expected that more young entrepreneurs will come forward and we will be able to harmonise these projects with other government programmes for the benefit of the farmers and fruit growers.

Stakeholder consultation for integrated development of 10 clusters at SKICC

Household handicrafts should develop as an organised sector: CS

            SRINAGAR, JULY 10: Calling upon artisans to work together towards developing handicrafts as an organised sector, Chief Secretary Madhav Lal said that benefits of several government sponsored programmes and intervention schemes remain under-utilised due to lack of an organised craft industry in the state.

            Addressing a consultation meeting of stakeholders for the ‘Integrated Development of 10 Handicraft Clusters in Srinagar and Ganderbal’, organised by J&K Entrepreneurship Development Institute at SKICC here, Chief Secretary re-iterated that the purpose of cluster development Initiative is to develop the age old and famous household craft industry of Kashmir from unorganised towards a self sustaining organised industry.

            “A multi pronged strategy is being followed wherein along with the infrastructural development and beautification of the cluster areas, artisans belonging to these clusters are also provided a platform to interact and bring to light the problems they are facing in their trade and craft related activities” Madhav Lal said, adding that government is consulting all stakeholders especially artisans to listen to their opinions in order to finalise a comprehensive intervention and development plan and consultation workshop today has provided one such platform for all stakeholders in this direction.

            While taking part in the deliberation, artisans raised several key issues for consideration including limited access and unavailability of quality raw materials, certification tags to check fake handicrafts sale and purchase, artisan insurance and old age support cover, financial support and linkage facilities and marketing of finished products. Several chamber representatives, trader’s, handicrafts societies, members of civil society and government departmental experts also took part in the discussions.

            Winding up the day long deliberations, Chief Secretary said that a positive and optimistic attitude towards the initiative and cooperation by all stakeholders will deliver success in the implementation and intended outcome, calling upon participants to provide further inputs and valuable suggestions in this regard.

            Earlier, Director J&K Entrepreneurship Development Institute Dr. M.I Parray welcomed the participants and highlighted the significance and importance of handicrafts in the state and presented a brief account of the progress achieved under the cluster development initiative.

            A detailed power point presentation on Diagnostic study and business plan for 10 handicrafts clusters in Srinagar and Ganderbal was also made by the Cluster Development Agency (CDA), IL&FS appointed by J&K EDI to assist them in the holistic development of the identified 10 clusters.