Those who haven’t received amount yet should approach concerned authorities: Dir Horticulture
Srinagar, Oct 09 (KNO):The government has revised its strategy to ensure timely release of money into the farmers’ accounts, who have sold their crop through the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED), which is the nodal agency for procuring apples.
The decision comes days after the wire Service –Kashmir News Observer (KNO) reported that government has failed to disburse the amount to farmers on time, who have sold their crop through NAFED.
Taking serious note of the news report, the Director Horticulture Kashmir, Aijaz Ahmad Bhattold KNO that those farmers who have not received the amount yet, should contact concerned Deputy Commissioner (DC) or Director Horticulture, Kashmir.
“Delaying payment is not in the scheme, in case someone has not received money on time, he should contact the concerned Deputy Commissioner or Director Horticulture, Kashmir,” Bhat said.
Over 90, 000 apple boxes have been procured at Anantnag, Parimpora and SoporeMandis of Kashmir from farmers Under Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) launched by Jammu and Kashmir government on August 12. Apple boxes worth over three Crore till date has been procured from the farmers in Kashmir.
Sources in the department, however, said the amount was lying pending in the department bank accounts, but has not been disbursed among the farmers on time due to the delay in verification of bank account details of farmers.
However, Director Horticulture, Kashmir added the scheme has received good response from the farmers, because of this more and more farmers are registering their names in different procurement centers in the Valley. “We are receiving good response from farmers from all the apple producing areas in the Kashmir,” he said.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has sanctioned Rs 100 crore for procurement of this cash crop and has also extended the credit limit for NAFED up to Rs 2500 crore to procure the apple boxes from farmers.
Department of Horticulture, Planning and Marketing has revised prices for Apple according to the fruit grade and type of packaging material under Market Intervention Scheme (MIS).
Accordingly, for Delicious Apple variety Rs 58 per kilogram have been fixed for Grade A, Rs 42 per Kg for Grade B and Rs 22 for Grade C with cardboard grass packing.
Similarly, Rs 59, Rs 43 and Rs 23 per kilogram have been fixed for Grade A, Grade B, and Grade C Delicious Apple variety with cardboard tray packing respectively.
Rs 60, Rs 44 and Rs 24 per kilogram have been fixed for Grade A, Grade B and Grade C Delicious Apple variety with wood grass packing respectively. (KNO)