JKPCC Kissan Congress flags fund underutilization, seeks relief for Shopian farmers

• Bharat Priye highlights gaps in agricultural spending, demands compensation for hail-hit apple growers and KCC waiver

SHOPIAN: Intensifying its focus on agrarian issues, JKPCC Kissan Congress Chairman Bharat Priye on Tuesday chaired an extensive meeting with farmers in Shopian district, voicing serious concern over the underutilization of funds in the agriculture and allied sectors in Jammu & Kashmir. He stressed that the gap between financial allocations and their actual implementation is adversely affecting farmers on the ground.

The meeting was attended by a wide spectrum of party functionaries and grassroots leaders, reflecting the importance of the issue. Among those present were DCC President Shabnam Jaan, DCC Vice President Dr. Sarwar, District Kissan Congress President Akib Manzoor Lone, Congress District President Rajouri Arun Sharma, Riyaz Ahmed Manhas, Wajeed Gulzar, Seva Dal President Er. Mutaza Dewan, Youth President Muntazir Ashraf, Block Presidents Shabir Ahmed and Ajaz Ahmed, who also serves as Media Incharge. Several local farmers also participated, sharing their concerns and experiences.

Addressing the gathering, Bharat Priye sharply criticized what he described as the government’s failure to effectively utilize allocated funds meant for the welfare of farmers. He pointed out that the Agriculture Department in the Union Territory has recorded a significant underutilization, with more than ₹1,762 crore lying unspent, translating to only about 54 percent utilization. Similarly, the Horticulture sector—vital to the economy of regions like Shopian—reported unspent funds of ₹428.94 crore, with utilization hovering around 58 percent.

He further stated that the issue extends beyond agriculture alone. Across multiple departments, savings exceeding ₹34,917 crore were not surrendered during the financial year 2023–24, which he termed a violation of established financial norms and indicative of weak fiscal management. Key sectors such as Irrigation and Flood Control and Public Health Engineering also reflected poor fund utilization, with unspent balances of ₹1,303.86 crore and ₹5,357.21 crore respectively.

Highlighting the human impact of these lapses, Bharat Priye noted that farmers in Jammu & Kashmir continue to grapple with mounting financial distress despite the availability of funds on paper. Referring to available data, he said that farmers in the region were burdened with a cumulative debt exceeding ₹17,814 crore as of March 31, 2024. He described this as a glaring disconnect between policy intent and ground reality, where resources fail to reach those who need them most.

He attributed the persistent underutilization to poor planning, administrative inefficiencies, and lack of financial accountability. According to him, these shortcomings have slowed down the development of critical infrastructure such as irrigation networks, storage facilities, and modern farming systems, ultimately affecting productivity and farmer incomes. He emphasized the urgent need to strengthen financial discipline, improve monitoring mechanisms, and ensure timely utilization of allocated funds for their intended purposes.

Raising pressing local concerns, Bharat Priye also highlighted the plight of apple growers in Shopian who have recently suffered heavy losses due to hailstorms. He demanded immediate assessment of damages and adequate compensation to affected farmers. Additionally, he called for the waiver of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans, stating that such relief measures are essential to support farmers facing financial hardship and prevent them from falling deeper into debt.

The meeting concluded with a strong appeal for greater accountability, transparency, and a farmer-centric approach in policymaking. Participants emphasized the need for sustained engagement with farmers and timely intervention to address their challenges, ensuring that the agricultural sector in Jammu & Kashmir receives the attention and support it deserves.