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| Spread of locust infestation checked in Ladakh: Zargar | | Question Hour in LC | | SRINAGAR, AUGUST 03 (INFO) – Various pest control measures taken up by the government in Ladakh region have helped to check spread of locust infestation on field crops to a greater extent.
This was stated by the Minister for Agriculture Mr. Abdul Aziz Zargar while replying a question by Mr. P. Namgyal in Legislative Council today. He said locust infestation occurred on pastures of Changthang area district Leh during 2005 and reported again in the same areas during current season. However, in Zanskar area of Kargil district no incidence of the pest was observed during 2005. However, its occurrence was reported during current year and no pest attack was reported before 2005 in both the districts.
He said the locust have been observed in Ronga Areas of Leh district and field crops of Anley, Rongo and Mahay villages causing damages to the pastures and now advancing to field crops. Locust outbreak was also reported in Zanskar sub division of Kargil during current cropping season, the Minister added. He said on receipt of information of heavy locust infestation in Zanskar sub division, the government constituted a team of officers for on spot inspection, which recommended immediate remedial measures. The SKUAST, Kashmir was also involved in the exercise. Insecticides and equipments for spraying was supplied to the Kargil district and equipments for spraying was supplies to the Kargil district amounting to Rs. 8.50 lakh. The spraying operations were undertaken in the infested area. These measures helped to check the further spread of the problem in other areas of the district.
The Minister said that in order to prevent the occurrence of the problem the Department of Agriculture has undertaken information dissemination strategy to check the pest invasion to new areas.
Replying to another question by Mrs. Farida Mir, the Minister said that as many as 11180 growers of state were benefitted under MIS and an amount of Rs. 250.53 lakh spent under it during 2004-05. He said, under Technology Mission the Department of Horticulture (P&M) had spent Rs. 60 lakhs on development of Fruit and vegetable markets during last year. The directorate has also processed and recommended 22 cases for ‘On Farm Storage (Grading Packing Sheds)’ for sanction by the National Horticulture Board, in 2004-05.
Replying to a supplementary of Mr. Nizam-ud-Din Bhat, the Minister said government would consider exemption of interest and penal interest of loans outstanding against fruit-growers. However, they shall have to pay principal amount in easy installments, the Minister added.
In reply to another question by Ms Sakina Ittoo said that the agriculture department has made payment of Rs. 97.44 lakh to the Custodian Evacuee Properties on account of rent for land of seed farm R. S. Pora in the year 2004. The amount included Rs. 66.68 lakh as arrears and Rs. 30.76 lakh as rent for the period of 2003-04.
He said that the payment has not been made in excess because an amount of Rs. 66.68 lakh was paid to the Evacuee Properties Department against rent arrears of Rs. 174.71 lakh claimed by the Evacuee Properties Department. The payment was made pending reconciliation of rent from 1983 to 2003 for which Evacuee Properties Department has been requesting repeatedly. |
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