Arunachal Pradesh deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein urged the Horticulture department to complete the formalities and start the infrastructure development work of auction centres at Namsai, Kimin and Bhalukpong immediately.
Mein gave this directive while convening a meeting of senior officers of Horticulture department and Spice Board on establishment of auction centres in the State in his office here on Wednesday.
While reiterating the need of establishing auction centres in the State, Mein informed that Rs 20 crore has been allocated in the Budget for establishment of three spices auction centres at Namsai, Kimin and Bhalukpong, for market outlet license to be taken by the Agricultural Marketing Board at Siliguri for direct sale opportunities in the main market and for procurement of large cardamom driers in the State.
He said auction centres would help to boost the farmers’ economy as it will do away with the middleman since the buyers of the agriculture and horticulture produce will come to buy directly from the farmers in these auction centres once it is established.
“Initially, we may face problems but in the long run it would greatly boost the farmer’s economy,” Mein said.
The deputy CM further asked the Horticulture department to submit the guidelines and the DPR immediately and also asked the officers from Spice Board Divisional Office, Itanagar to provide the requirements as well as the technical support to the department in preparing the guidelines and DPR.
Mimum Tayeng, secretary, Agriculture & Horticulture, while highlighting on the progress of the projects informed that the guidelines for budget implementation and concept paper for the auction centres is almost ready and will be submitted to the government within one or two days.
She informed that the land for the auction centres at Namsai and Kimin is already available and would start the civil works once the formalities are completed.
Among others, Dr Ashish Chandra Verma, Agriculture Production Commissioner, Himanshu Gupta, Special Secretary (Planning), Anan Debbarma, Assist Director, Spice Board Divisional Office, Itanagar and Kamo Ado, and Director Horticulture were also present in the meeting.
