JAMMU, Nov 14: Director Agriculture Production & Farmers Welfare, Jammu, Anil Gupta, on Saturday chaired a high-level review meeting at the Conference Hall of the Directorate of Agriculture, Krishi Bhawan, Talab Tillo, Jammu, to assess the expenditure status against funds released during the current financial year and review the physical and financial progress of various departmental schemes.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Director (E&S) Mudassir Yaqoob Zargar, Chief Agriculture Officer Jammu Manohar Lal Sharma, SMS (RL) Krishan Kant, Technical Officer HADP and JKCIP Raj Kumar, In charge CSS Section Deep Gupta, along with officers from the Planning, CSS, JKCIP and Technical Sections of the Directorate. Chief Agriculture Officers and District Agriculture Officers of Jammu Division participated through Video Conferencing.
During the review, the Director emphasized that expenditure must strictly correspond to the approved Action Plan and stressed the need for timely and optimum utilization of allocated funds. While reviewing CAPEX, he directed all districts to expedite the submission of bills under Apiculture and Mushroom Development and furnish updated physical achievements under Strengthening, Intensive Vegetable Development and Spices components. He also stressed the need to focus on brand promotion and marketing activities to enhance the visibility and marketability of agricultural produce. He directed all Chief Agriculture Officers to submit updated Monthly Progress Reports (MPRs) to the Deputy Director Planning within one day.
Reviewing the Centrally Sponsored Schemes, the Director assessed the physical and financial progress under ATMA, NFSM and MIDH and directed the concerned officers to submit pending bills without delay. He also emphasized organizing exposure visits for farmers and departmental officers under ATMA to facilitate knowledge sharing and adoption of improved agricultural practices.
The Director reviewed the status of pending infrastructure projects under NABARD and instructed the concerned officers to maintain close coordination with executing agencies to ensure their timely completion. He directed the concerned Chief Agriculture Officers to submit Utilization Certificates (UCs) for the ongoing Centre of Excellence (CoE) project so that the second phase of the project is not delayed.
The progress of the Baba Jitto Scheme under NABARD was also reviewed, with directions to expedite all pending works. He particularly emphasized that micro-irrigation is an essential component of the Baba Jitto Project and instructed the concerned districts to accelerate its implementation.
While reviewing the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), Anil Gupta took stock of the progress of all projects and directed the officers to ensure that updated Monthly Progress Reports are regularly submitted to the Directorate. Under JKCIP, he reviewed the physical progress of the Protected Cultivation project and directed the concerned officers to submit pending bills promptly.
The Director also reviewed the progress of various key projects under HADP and JKCIP, including Agri-Tourism, Hill Garlic, Water Management, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Honey Production and Promotion, and the Seed Village Programme, and stressed the need to achieve the prescribed physical and financial targets within the stipulated timelines.
Emphasizing financial discipline and accountability, Shri Anil Gupta directed all officers to work in close coordination with executing agencies and ensure that expenditure is incurred strictly in accordance with approved plans and guidelines. He issued clear instructions that all pending expenditure bills must be submitted within one week to ensure timely financial reporting and effective implementation of departmental schemes.