Wednesday, 20 April | PNS | Rudrapur
Chairing a review meeting of the Uttarakhand Seeds and Terai Development Corporation (USTDC) and Mandi Parishad here on Tuesday, the Agriculture minister Ganesh Joshi pulled up officials and directed them to improve their working. Expressing dissatisfaction at the functioning of the officials of the Mandi Parishad and USTDC, he said that the departmental work culture should be made more responsible towards the farmers. Referring to his army background, the minister said that his style of functioning is different.
He said, “You are saying that the Mandi’s income is decreasing while the demand for produce being sent from the Mandi is consistently rising. If big private players can earn profits from fruits, vegetables and food grains, you will have to think differently. There is a need to become more market conducive instead of looking at the government for everything. More transparency should be brought in the construction unit of the Mandi. Cold stores and storage should be enhanced to facilitate unseasonal availability of vegetables and fruits,” he said.
Earlier, when USTDC officials presented bouqets to welcome the minister, he said that he will accept these when the corporation starts making profit. Stating that complaints are being received about unauthorised use of seed tags, he directed officials to probe this and stop it without delay. The minister said that he will review the action taken on his directions after one month.
