 early times report
KATHUA, Jan 2: Carrying forward the process of strengthening the marketing facilities for the farmers, Minister for Horticulture and Floriculture, Sham Lal Sharma today dedicated Fruit Vegetable market to people here today.
The market which is spread over an area of 35 kanals has been constructed by the Horticulture (Plann-ing & Marketing) Departm-ent at an estimated cost of Rs. 2.83 crore. In the first phase the market has the provision of 58 shops, 3 auction sheds, including one exclusive for herbal plants, administrative block and toilet block.
Minister of State for Horticulture, Javed Ahmed Dar, Member Parliament, Ch. Lal Singh, local MLA Charanjeet Singh, Director Horticulture (Planning & Marketing), Atta-ur-Rehman Natnoo, Deputy Commissioner, Kathua Zahida Khan, Director Indian System of Medi-cines, Dr. Abdul Kabir Dar, Controller Drugs & Food Control Organization, Sat-ish Gupta, Director Health Services, Jammu, Dr. Mad-hu Khullar, Managing Dir-ector, JKHPMC, Rafiq Ahmed, Director Floric-ulture, Jammu, K. K. Sharma, Director Hortic-ulture, Jammu, J. N. Sharma, Director Family Welfare, Dr. Kuldeep Kesar, prominent citizens of the area and large number of traders and growers were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Sham Lal Sharma said that Government was committed to upgrade the marketing infrastructure for the farmers in every nook and corner across the state to provide facilities at their doorsteps. He said during the past four years a strong network of markets at the district and Tehsil level has been created and upgraded. He said in Jammu and Kashmir over 80 per cent population is directly or indirectly associated with agriculture, horticulture and floriculture activities and Government was giving due attention to their welfare.
Congratulating people for the exclusive Fruit & Vegetable market, the Minister said that this market will have special significance as Kathua is the gateway of the State. This will not only facilitate the farmers and traders of Kathua district only, but traders from the adjoining States will also take benefit of the market. He said the first phase of the market has been completed and activities will start immediately, adding that a considerable provision of expansion has been kept and in the second phase the full potential of the area will be explored and Kathua Mandi will be a Model in the State. He assured to set up a cold storage and facility of refrigeration van in the district for protecting flowers.
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