Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain, chairing the meeting of Planning Department on Wednesday at Secretariat laid emphasis on strengthening the delivery system. While reviewing the works undertaken by Agriculture, Horticulture, Mini Irrigation, Animal Husbandry, Forestry, Cooperative, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and government Irrigation Departments said that the works ought to be visible on ground level. He directed the departmental officers to prepare monthly action plan and meet the set financial and physical targets of the works. He said that the next meeting would be convened to review the works completed as per the set target.
Reviewing the Horticulture Department he said that there was vast potential in this sector through which farmer's income could be increased. Expressing his dissatisfaction over the working system of the Department Mr. Jain directed the officers to present concrete work plan in 15 days. He said that responsibility ought to set for the officers looking after the budget of the projects. Any body found playing with the farmers' right would be dealt stringently, he said. Asserting that with the improvement in the crop production the marketing system also should be strengthened he disclosed that 25 mandis were being established in hill region. He said that food processing units were also being set up in a bid to increase farmer's income. Laying emphasis on the cluster farming of horticulture produces, the Chief Secretary observed that the farmers would get the wholesalers at local level.
Taking serious note of crop damage caused by the wild animals, Chief Secretary Jain asked the officers to prepare concrete strategy to resolve the problem. He directed the Principal Secretary Forest M Ramaswami to prepare the Action Plan in 15 days. The Chief Secretary was apprised that one Rescue Centre each had been set up in Garhwal and Kumaon Region and a team was formed for sterilization of animals.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary Agriculture Om Prakash, Secretary Irrigation NS Negi, Secretary Animal Husbandry RC Pathak, Secretary Finance Radha Raturi, Secretary Cooperative PS Gusain, Additional Secretary Forest Sushant Pathnaik and other senior officers.
