Uttarakhand to buy potato, apple produce in calamity-hit areas

DEHRADUN: In view of the damage caused to agricultural land by the June calamity, the Uttarakhand government has decided to buy the produce of potato and apple growers in the affected areas.

It also decided to send proposals to the Centre to give grants to mule operators under the National Agriculture Development Scheme and set up seed storehouses and build ropeways.

The decisions were taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna yesterday to discuss the losses suffered by farmers in the disaster hit areas and the damage caused to agricultural land by the June calamity.

The Chief Minister gave directions to officials at the meeting to formulate action plans on the proposals regarding agriculture sector that have received grants from the Centre.

He also asked them to speed up the work being undertaken. The District Magistrates were told that in areas where connecting roads have still not been built, the government would buy the produce of potato and apple growers.

The Chief Minister also said that mule operators whose families were dependent on their earnings from the business would also get grants from the government under the National Agriculture Development Scheme.

The CM laid emphasis on preparing DPRs for ropeways immediately and establishing seed centres at Nyay Panchayat level.He also asked the authorities to give importance to modernisation of dairies.

He discussed the possibilities of building Cold Storages in the hill areas besides expressing hope that departments dealing with agricultural development will work in close association with each other.

Speaking at the meeting, Union Agriculture Secretary, Ashish Bahuguna, asked all departments concerned to make reports on the losses incurred in all areas and also to prepare reports on controlling further damage.

He said immediate action would be taken on any proposal received under the National Agriculture Development Scheme.

He assured that monetary aid would be provided for all proposals including those on conservation of agricultural land.

He assured the Chief Minister that the Central Government would give full compensation for the damage caused to agricultural land.

Also present at the meeting were Agriculture Minister Harak Singh Rawat, Disaster Management Minister Yashpal Arya, Union Agriculture Secretary Ashish Bahuguna, Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary Rakesh Sharma and other officials.