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| Enhancement of prices of Ladakhi products to be taken up with centre: Mangat | | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | Jan 23
Minister for Health & Medical Education, Ladakh Affairs Mr. Mangat Ram Sharma while replying the resolution moved by Mr. P. Namgyal in Legislative Council today said "the farmers of Ladakh region are supplying fresh vegetables, fruits, lucern hay and wheat bhoosa to the Army annually through five Cooperatives Societies of Leh district viz Cooperative Marketing Societies, Leh Kharu and Nimo,Chrbat Cooperative marketing Society, Takshi, Nubra and Cooperative Marketing Society, Nubra-Diskit valuing more than Rs. 550 lakhs. Similarly, the farmers of Kargil district also supply substantial quantity of the above items to the Defence authorities through their Cooperative Societies.
The "negotiated contract sanctioned by the Ministry of Defence for the procurement of local produce from the local farmers by the Army has been instrumental in commenting the 'bond' between the Army and the local population in the frontier part of the country. This must be imperatively strengthened further in the interest of the national security and for the welfare of the Ladakhis.
Previously, the contracts for supply of fodder and milk items used to be negotiated in Udhampur from February-April, when the surface access from Leh to the rest of the country is closed, thereby resulting in great inconvenience and hardship to the farmers of Ladakh. To address the grievances of farmers, the matter was taken up with the Prime Minister's Office by the State Government through the Ladakh Affairs department. It was also pursued with the HQ Northern Command. Following this, the integrated HQ of MoD, QMG Branch vide its communication dated September 14, 2006 addressed to HQ Northern Command issued instructions to depute Director, Military Farms to visit Leh, Ladakh at the time of negotiations and conclusion of contracts so that farmers and representatives of the cooperatives do not have to travel to Udhampur. As a result, the negotiated contracts for the supply of all items were finalized at Leh between the farmers and representatives and Army earlier this year.
The farmers Association of Ladakh had also represented that the cost of production is quite high in Ladakh as compared to other places and in case the Defence authorities have to bring the above products from the plains, it will entail heavy transportation costs, the products will not be garden fresh and accordingly requested for hike in supply rates as presently only maximum of up to 5 per cent is allowed every year. They also have been representing that the rates offered for supply of milk and fodder are very less and unsustainable given the hostile climatic conditions of the Ladakh.
The request of the farmers of Ladakh to hike the prices of the supply of local products to the Defence forces is quite reasonable. However, it may be pertinent to mention here that the rates of supplies of the local products are settled to the mutual satisfaction of parties after detailed negotiations by the representatives of the Farmer's Cooperative Societies of Ladakh with the point for increase in rates on a reasonable and sustainable basis from year to year has essentially to be pressed in the course of yearly negotiations. As the resolution of this House is not binding on the Defence Ministry, it may not serve any fruitful purpose to do so. Instead, it would be more appropriate and desirable to take up this matter with the Ministry of Defence, Government of India by the state government through the Ladakh Affairs Department for a positive consideration of these demands.
P. Namgyal withdrew the resolution after getting appropriate reply from the government. |
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