Central Government schemes have boosted the fruit industry in Kashmir: Dr Darakhshan

• Waqf Chairperson laid foundation stone for Cold Storage Facility at Lassipora in Pulwama, took stock of Shab-e-Mae’raj arrangements at Dargah Hazratbal
• This process of verification of Mosques is solely aimed at safeguarding these religious institutions and there was no agenda behind this: Andrabi

SRINAGAR: Jammu & Kashmir Waqf Board Chairperson Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi today visited IGC Lassipora for the inauguration event held in the SICOP Complex here. Andrabi laid the foundation stone for a modern Al Hayaat Cold Storage Facility with a huge storage capacity. This facility will be catering to the storage and preservation requirements of the fruit growers and traders from Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam and Anantnag districts.

Later while addressing the gathering here, she underlined the crucial role of CA cold stores in strengthening the fruit industry and said several initiatives being taken up by the local entrepreneurs and the people related to the fruit industry of the valley with the help of the schemes of the Central Government to support farmers and improve agricultural infrastructure in Jammu & Kashmir.

“During the past many years, we have seen horticultural boost in the whole of Jammu & Kashmir, as the Central government schemes have facilitated agriculturists with latest scientific interventions in boosting high density cultivations and providing financial support for upgrading the horticulture sector in Jammu & Kashmir. New fruits which were once alien to us are now being cultivated successfully here after benefitting from the schemes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi led Central government for holistic agricultural development in the Union Territory”, said Dr Darakhshan.

She said that the spirit of agro-entrepreneurship among our youth is changing the horticulture landscape of Jammu & Kashmir. The Waqf Chairperson hailed the spirit of contributing in infrastructural development by local youth which will benefit the fruit growers and traders a lot. Dr Andrabi was accompanied by BJP leaders Arshad Bhat, Rafiq Ahmad Wani and others. Later Dr Andrabi visited Dargah Hazratbal where she paid obeisance and took stock of the Shab-e-Ma’eraj arrangements. 

In reply to a question regarding the opposition by political parties regarding verification of Imams and mosques in J&K, Dr Darakhshan said that we should not do politics on everything. This process is solely aimed at safeguarding these religious institutions and there was no agenda behind this. “These politicians cried foul and spread false narratives when they were uploading Waqf properties on Umeed portal, but now their mouths are shut. They are now trying to incite people on this issue of verifications. It is a routine government exercise and it is in favour of all”, said Andrabi.