10k cr likely to come in agri-horti sector from summit

An investment to the tune of over Rs 10,000 crore is expected to come in the agriculture and horticulture sectors alone from the ensuing ‘Investment Summit’, said the State Agriculture Minister Subodh Uniyal while interacting with the media persons at the State party Bharatiya Janata Party office here on Tuesday. He opined that the proposed meet would felicitate bulk investment in the sectors of organic farming, mega food parks, religious tourism and medicity. The Minister, further, said that the increased investment in infrastructure would generate new employment opportunities in the State. 

Hailing the recent increase in the minimum support price (MSP) of crops as a major step in the direction of fulfilling the objective of doubling the income of the farmers, the Minister said that the Government in the State too is committed to the welfare of the farmers. He mentioned that the Government has also brought down the minimum limit of crop damage from 50 percent to 25 to 33 percent for the crop Insurance scheme rolled out for the benefit of farmers.

Uniyal was at the State party office to attend the ‘Janata Milan’ programme. Over 100 people attended the programme to present their grievances to the Minister, hoping fast redressal. One Amir Singh Panwar of Kirtinagar block of Tehri district raised the issue of corruption in the development works in his village Kanda Badiyargarh.

He alleged that a scam of Rs  27 lakh has occurred in the MNREGA and works like construction of toilets and installation of solar lights in his village. Panwar also raised questions over the social audit on the issue and demanded an in-depth inquiry. After hearing out the complaint, the Minister directed the district administration officers to conduct a CDO level inquiry into the graft allegation.

Among other issues raised before the Minister during the programme were appeals for monetary assistance, construction of boundary walls in schools, complaint against village pradhans, social audit, road construction, drinking water scarcity, poly house approval and shifting liquor shops. Uniyal is said to have directed the officials concerned to address them expeditiously.

Among those present during the gathering were the officer on special duty ( OSD) of CM, Urbha Dut Bhatt and media co in-charge Shadab Shams.