Advisor Bhatnagar chairs 64th BoDs meeting of JKHPMC

JAMMU, MARCH 14: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, today chaired the 64th Board of Directors (BoDs) meeting of Jammu and Kashmir Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (JKHPMC) at Civil Secretariat, here.

The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Atal Dulloo; Managing Director, JKHPMC Imam Din, Director General Codes, Director General Planning & Monitoring, Director Horticulture Jammu/Kashmir, Director Horticulture P&M, Deputy Director NHB, representative of SKUAST-(J), and other concerned officers.

During the meeting, the BoDs held detailed deliberation on various development projects of the Corporation both under execution as well as the ones being implemented during the current financial year under CAPEX Budget.

The Board also reviewed the Corporation’s financial and operational performance during the previous year and took stock of progress made on the ongoing projects and initiatives.

Speaking during the meeting, Advisor Bhatnagar impressed upon the management of the Corporation to optimise its operations and use of assets besides exploring new areas to maximize its potential. He also delved on them to bring technological diversification in the Corporation so that it can compete with present industries of food sector.

The Board also discussed the proposed setting up of PMU that could help the Corporation in rolling out its various ongoing projects and day to day operations.

MD, JKHPMC, while making a presentation on various post –harvest infrastructure projects undertaken by the Corporation, explained that its Cardboard Carton Unit at Mazbugh, Sopore has been Commissioned and outsourced for Operations and Maintenance. He further added three fruit and vegetable processing units are under execution one each at Dobgah, Jablipora and Marh Akhnoor. Two CA stores projects one at Behrampora, Baramulla 5000 MT and one at Mazbug, Sopore 2500 MT have been finalized and are to be executed. He further informed that the work on a 2000 MT Cold Store, at Narwal, Jammu is going on.

The MD also informed the meeting that JKHPMC has also set up three Common Incubation Centres, one each at Doabgah, Sopore – (Apple), Acchabal, Anantnag – (Fish) and Narwal, Jammu – (Dairy/Bakery) with the financial assistance from the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries, which have been outsourced for commercialization and capacity building for FPOs, SHGs and Cooperatives besides other connected stakeholders.

He added that the Corporation also proposes to set up Common Infrastructure Centers one each at Chadoora (for Fruits & Vegetable Processing) and Ramban (for Honey Processing) in the coming Financial Year.