U'khand gov to buy horticulture produce from farmers

State has also decided to send proposals to Centre to give grants to mule operators under NADS

The Uttarakhand cabinet on Monday decided to buy horticulture produce like potatoes and apples from farmers in the disaster affected areas.

A meeting of the state cabinet held at the state secretariat here decided to buy the produce of potatoes and apples from farmers following heavy losses incurred by them due to the flash floods.

The government also decided to send proposals to the Centre to give grants to mule operators under the National Agriculture Development Scheme (NADS) and set up seed storehouses and build small ropeways for the convenience of farmers in the state.

The decisions were meant to mitigate losses suffered by farmers in the disaster hit areas and the damage caused to agricultural land by the June calamity.

The Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna 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.

Earlier at a meeting here yesterday, 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.  

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