Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Feb 6: Minister for Finance, Abdul Rahim Rather today said that agriculture is the important sector of our economy and government is committed to revolutionize the sector by providing all possible facilities to the farmers of the state.
Rather was addressing a pre-budget interactive session here today attended by progressive farmers of valley organized by J&K State Advisory Board for Development of Kissans.
Among others, the meeting was attended by Vice Chairman, J&K Kissan Board, Radhaysham Sharma, Commissioner, Commercial Taxes, K.H. Rizvi, Director Agriculture Kashmir, Mushtaq Ahmad Shah, Special Secretary Finance, Shakeel-ur-Rehman, Director Information, Tasaduq Jeelani, Additional Secretary Finance, Showkat Aejaz, Additional Commissioner, Sales Taxes, Rafiq Hakeem, , Secretary Kissan Board, G.M. Mir, officers of departments of Agriculture, Horticulture and Floriculture.
Finance Minister said that this meeting is totally agri specific which has been convened separately in order to give focused attention to farmers community.
Responding to the demands of setting up of feed plant, hatchery for producing buffer stock of poultry in the valley, Finance Minister said that government has been appreciating besides providing incentives to the entrepreneurs for setting up their hatchery and feed plant. He said that unemployed youth is being encouraged to earn thier livelihood with honour and dignity, adding that the youth can choose any kind of entrepreneurship of them choice and government is ready to support them in respect of funding as well as technical guidance.
Referring to equipping farmers with agri implements, the Minister said that J&K Agro Industries Ltd has been assigned to provide these implements to farmers on subsidized rates.
On this occasion, a representative from Ganderbal demanded tax free fertilizers, spray pumps, diesel pumps, spare parts. He also demanded setting up of Polygreen houses for growing vegetables on scientific lines, he also suggested certain measures for horticulture, fisheries and other sector for boosting the produce. |
