Proof that the State bureaucracy does not cater to the agricultural sector which is the back-bone of Kashmir’s economy (and the reason why)
Mission failed
Directorate of Agriculture must explain its failure to utilize the funds released under Technology Mission
Economic exploitation and pathetic scenario of development in Kashmir may have its roots firmly placed in the depths of the conflict politics but it has become an excuse for us to desist from digging into the mismanagement of economic opportunities by our officialdom. Why a significant portion of funds remains unutilized in Kashmir is a question that needs to be asked with an increased vehemence now. Without taking our gaze off from more violent and devastating ways of economic exploitation, media and civil society need to engage with this matter.
The story about the funds released by the Central government under the Technology Mission Scheme for procurement of hybrid seeds reaming unutilized this year also is an indicator of how a common man in Kashmir is losing an opportunity just because certain officials don’t pass it on to him. Since our bureaucracy and the ways in which funds come and go have remained a mystery land for a commoner in Kashmir, it hardly becomes known how much money is siphoned off, how much is wrongly utilized and how much gets lapsed. Otherwise a scandalous act, here it passes off as something of a routine. Take this Technology Mission case and it becomes clear that how deep the rot is. An amount of one crore, according to the officials, has been sanctioned by the Government of India to the Directorate of Agriculture for procurement of hybrid seeds from various MNCs.
These seeds are meant to be distributed free of cost among the farmers of the Valley. If the Directorate spends all the money and produces the utilization certificate more funds can pour in, meaning an expansion in the circle of beneficiaries. Since the seeds are high quality and yield more produce, it can significantly add to the vegetable production of the valley. The advantage from marketing point of view is also huge. The time when vegetables are produced here is the lean period of production for outside Kashmir areas, because of the temperature factor. This could easily mean a ready market for our vegetables outside.
The benefits of this scheme, thus become easily understandable, but what pesters is the fact that still the funds have not been utilized. Contrary to Valley the same scheme is being briskly followed in Jammu. Here the comparison between the functioning of departments in Kashmir and elsewhere becomes sharp. Now that the funds remain unutilized farmers acquire seeds of lesser quality from the open market on meaty prices. This way we lose from both ends. The officials of the directorate must explain their position on this matter and ensure the procurement of seeds and their distribution among the farmers of the valley.
(Rising Kashmir)