CS chairs steering committee meeting for Horticulture Mission

GANGTOK, 19 March [IPR]: The State Level Steering Committee meeting under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary was held in the Krishi Bhavan conference hall on 16 March to review the progress achieved in 2011-12 and approve the action plan for 2012-13 pertaining to two Central Sector Schemes on horticulture- the Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan States and the National Bamboo Mission.
Present for the meeting were the Development Commissioner, Secretary-cum-PCCF, Secretary Agriculture & Horticulture, Controller of Accounts, Principal Director Agriculture, Principal Director Horticulture, representatives from various Government of India Organizations like the ICAR, NRCO, Spices Board and many other officers from state government and horticulture department.
During the course of meeting, district-wise presentations and a short presentation on floriculture were made reflecting physical and financial progress made vis-a-vis targets for 2011-12. The Secretary Agriculture summing up pointed out that satisfactory achievement has been made during the past year and intense efforts would be made during the coming year to address implementation gaps experienced during the previous year. The Principal Director presented the progress of past year and the action plan 2012-13 for National Bamboo Mission.
The Chief Secretary expressed satisfaction towards overall progress made in horticulture sector. He categorically stated that the present government has recognized horticulture as an important driver of rural economy and added that every support would be made available to the department for upliftment of rural masses. Congratulating the sincere efforts of the departmental officers in reaching extension service to the doors of the farmers, the Chief Secretary added that the impacts of these efforts are tangible in the fields. He further added that horticulture department has been diligently implementing the policies and programmes of the government and has set a new benchmark which must be sustained for years to come.
The total financial outlay approved by the SLSC for consideration of Agriculture Ministry, Government of India is Rs 5000 lakhs for Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States and Rs 682.26 lakhs for National Bamboo Mission.