Shadow Correspondent
JAMMU, JAN 07-
Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Sanjeev Verma today discussed the plan to resume agriculture activities on their land on the zero line across the border fencing, here at a meeting with Deputy Commissioners of border districts and concerned Officers.
The meeting was attended by IG BSF, N S Jamwal; Director Agriculture, Inderjeet; Additional Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Gansham Singh and other concerned officers, while Deputy Commissioner Samba and Kathua attended the meeting through video conferencing.
At the outset Divisional Commissioner enquired from the Deputy Commissioners about the cultivated and uncultivated land available in the districts. The concerned Deputy Commissioners apprised him of total land including cultivated, uncultivated, private and state land at zero line along the border fencing in their respective districts.
The Divisional Commissioner asked the DCs to encourage farmers for cultivating their land on the zero line across the border fencing and provide them every support for the same.
Threadbare discussions were held on various issues including financial assistance for development of land/ to make it cultivatable, insurance cover, crop insurance, irrigation facilities other important issues.
It was informed in the meeting that the government will provide every possible support to the farmers for resuming farming activities.
The Div Com said that the government shall provide development cost (one time assistance) to the farmers for tractorization/ making the land cultivable as the land at zero line remained uncultivated for a long period of time. The Divisional Commissioner directed the director agriculture to submit proposals for land cost, incentives, cost of inputs and other modalities.
The meeting also had detailed discussions on irrigation facilities and it was informed that the government shall provide solar pumps to the farmers on subsidized rates for facilitating the irrigation of the land. Moreover, the government shall also provide insurance cover to the farmers to compensate crop damage due to climate factors or by shelling.
The Divisional Commissioner directed the DCs to make a list of farmers and hold a meeting with them. He also asked Director Agriculture to ensure every possible support to the farmers through various Agriculture schemes, including provision of subsidized seeds etc.
