Says, crop diversification can be intensively promoted in the state with the strengthening of the department
Chandigarh, October 17:
Punjab Horticulture Miniter S. Chetan Singh Jauramajra, on Tuesday, asserted that the Horticulture department will be strengthened by filling 336 vacancies, including 111 posts of Horticulture Department Officer (HDOs) to invigorate the crop diversification in the state.
While presiding over a marathon meeting for reviewing the progress and evolving plan for crop diversification, in his office at the Punjab Civil Secretariat here, S. Jauramajra instructed officials to immediately send the case to the Punjab Public Service Commission and the Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board for the recruitment of various posts after discussing the nuances with the Finance Department.
The Cabinet Minister said that the department currently has 111 vacant posts of Horticulture Development Officers, 217 of Baildars/Malis and 8 posts of Watchmen, which need to be filled to ensure the department could operate efficiently and contribute to the awareness campaign to sensitize farmers about the benefits of crop diversification. He also asked officials to initiate the process for recruiting technical staff such as horticultural technical assistants, sub-inspectors, clerks and data entry operators through PESCO.
Instructing to speed up the process regarding the promotions of joint directors, deputy directors and assistant directors in the department, S. Chetan Singh Jauramajra said that the restructuring of the service rules of other posts should be ensured in a timely manner and where there are no horticulture offices across the state, these should be constructed at the earliest and renovation of the dilapidated offices will be done besides providing adequate equipment at all the block/tehsil levels offices.
To enhance the department’s efficiency and utilize online services, the Cabinet Minister asked to speed up the process of launching e-Baghbani mobile app and mobile helpline number for seeking suggestions for promoting horticulture. “Efforts should be made to adopt information technology in the department so the it can move forward in computer-based technology”, emphasized the Cabinet Minister.
While the Cabinet Minister took stock of the saplings produced in the government nurseries, their expenses and income during the last three years, he categorically asked officials to draw up an implementation plan to introduce more central aided schemes beneficial to farmers in the state in order to promote crop diversification. He said that setting up of horticulture development centers/incubation centers and sub-centres could contribute significantly in the progress of the state, hence specific schemes should be prepared for this sector as well.
Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included; Additional Chief Secretary Mr. KAP Sinha, Special Secretary Mr. Shyam Agarwal, Director Mrs. Shailender Kaur and other officials.
