Approval of MIS for procurement of apples: LG thanks PM Modi, Union Cabinet
Apni Party welcomes GoI’s announcement on MIS
New Delhi, Oct 21 : The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, approved the extension of Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for apple procurement in Jammu and Kashmir for the current season (2020-21) also on the same terms and condition as was done during last season (2019-20).
In a statement issued to Kashmir Despatch, an official spokesperson said that the procurement of apple will be done by Central Procuring Agency National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation ltd. (NAFED) through State Designated Agency, Directorate of Planning and Marketing, Department of Horticulture & Jammu & Kashmir Horticulture Processing and Marketing Corporation (JKHPMC), directly from apple farmers of J&K and the payment will be made through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into Bank account of apple farmers.
“12 LMT of apples can be procured under this scheme.”
He said the government has also allowed NAFED to utilize Government Guarantee of Rs. 2,500 Crore for this operation. “The losses, if any, to be incurred in this operation will be shared between Central Government and UT administration on 50:50 basis.”
He said the constituted Designated Price Committee of last Season will be continued for the fixation of price of various variety and grades of apples for this Season also. “The UT administration shall ensure the provision of basic amenities in the designated mandis.”
The spokesperson said that smooth and continuous implementation of the procurement process will be monitored by constituted Monitoring Committee under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary at the central level and constituted implementation & Coordination Committee under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary at the UT Level.
“This announcement by the Government will provide an effective marketing platform to apple growers and will facilitate employment generation for the local people. It will ensure remunerative prices for apples resulting in overall income enhancement of farmers in J&K,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha thanked Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and the Union Cabinet for approving Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for procurement of apples in the Union Territory. The move will ensure optimum prices to the Apple farmers and give necessary fillip to the economy.
“The scheme is a great relief for apple growers. It will provide a comprehensive insurance cover against any obstacle thus helping in stabilizing the income of the Apple farmers. It will also address all issues related to marketing and transportation, in addition, to provide optimum returns to apple growers” said the Lt Governor.
The Lt Governor also observed that the government is committed to take forward the Horticulture sector as it will contribute to the betterment of livelihood of Apple Growers.
“Since 12 LMT of apples can be procured under this scheme, besides ensuring profitability, it will also create rural employment through supplementary services such as packaging, transportation etc., he added.
The scheme was launched for the first time in the history of J&K during September-2019. It was widely appreciated by the growers across J&K. The scheme stabilized the prices of the Apple in the market and ensured to contain the distress sales.
Under the scheme, Apple will be procured by National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED) directly from the growers/aggregators at optimum prices at 5 designated Collection Centres (Fruit & Vegetable Mandies) in Sopore (Baramulla), Parimpora (Srinagar), Shopian, Kulgam and Anantnag. The payment will be directly credited into the bank accounts of the growers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode. The scheme, among other, will address all issues including marketing & grading of apples, procurement and storage. The scheme has been launched after taking into consideration the demands of Apple growers.
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister has also allowed NAFED to utilize Government Guarantee of Rs. 2,500 Crore for this operation. The losses, if any, to be incurred in this operation will be shared between the Central Government and UT administration of J&K on 50:50 basis.
Necessary infrastructure/facilities have been created at the designated Collection Centres for smooth operationalization of the scheme. Senior-level functionaries from Horticulture Department will be monitoring and supervising the procurement at the Mandis. Representatives from NAFED and National Horticulture Board will be associated with the procurement and other processes along with staff drawn from the Horticulture/Agriculture Department.
Meanwhile, Apni Party on Wednesday welcomed the union government’s approval for extension of Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for apple procurement in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) for the current season 2020-21.
In a statement issued here, Javid Hassan Baig, spokesman of the Party said that Apni Party had vehemently raised this demand with the top leadership of the country. “It is appreciable that the Central government has conceded our party’s demand and approved extension of MIS which will benefit lakhs of families across Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
Baig said the orchardists and fruit growers would get benefitted by the direct procurement of their apple crop by National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) through Directorate of Planning and Marketing, Department of Horticulture and Jammu and Kashmir Horticulture Processing and Marketing Corporation.
“The direct procurement of apple from the farmers of J&K and the payment to be made through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into Bank account of apple farmers is the uniqueness of MIS for which the Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari put all his efforts to make it possible,” Baig added.
He said over 12 Lac Metric Tonne of apples can be procured under this scheme and it is heartening that the Government of India has also allowed NAFED to utilize Government Guarantee of Rs. 2,500 Crore for this operation.
“Our party also welcomes the union government’s decision to get the procurement process of apples monitored by the central government constituted Monitoring Committee led by Cabinet Secretary at the union level and committee on implementation and Coordination led by Chief Secretary at the UT Level,” he added.
Baig said the announcement of the Government of India will provide an effective marketing platform to apple growers and will facilitate employment generation for the local people.
