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| ‘Tainted’ official irks fruit growers | | Sub-standard pesticides, fertilizers flood Shopian | |
Javaid Naikoo
Srinagar, Feb 21 : A `tainted official' appointed at an important post has been a cause of worry for Shopian farmers ever since the farming activities commenced.
Responsible for sampling of pesticides and fertilizers, issuing licenses and maintaining check and balance, enforcement inspector, Ghulam Muhammad Shah was transferred from Shopian to Srinagar after fruit growers filed many complaints against him with the Director for Agriculture.
Within one year, Shah was transferred and appointed again as enforcement inspector in Shopian after being backed up by some local pesticide and fertilizer dealers who wanted him in Shopian for their petty interests.
According to the sources soon after his transfer, G.M Shah tried to motivate the authorities for return to Shopian and allowing the pesticides and fertilizers in the market not approved by SKUAST.
According to reports, Shopian called as apple town of valley is currently filled with substandard pesticides and fertilizers and nobody is there to check the manufacturing and standard of these pesticides and fertilizers.
Experts say that pesticides and fertilizers openly sold in the markets are ineffective. They believe that use of such substandard pesticides and fertilizers in orchards is one of the main reasons for increased fruit diseases. Sources said that it is actually a group of pesticide and fertilizer dealers in the area who use their political influence to get the corrupt officials appointed in the area to suit their interests.
MLA Shopian, Abdul Razak Zawoora had taken up the matter with the concerned minister who transferred the said official. But he has managed to come back.
Minister for Horticulture Ghulam Hassan Mir said that there are no allegations against him and no substandard pesticides or fertilizers are available in Shopian. Director concerned, Farooq Ahmad Lone is unaware of the problem. |
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