EARTH NEWS SERVICE Jammu, Dec 15 |15: Minister for Horticulture, Hajj and Auqaf, Abdul Rehman Veeri Tuesday gave strict directions for gearing up of enforcement wing of horticulture department to ensure quality supply of pesticides and other Horticulture Mineral Oils (HMOs) to fruit growers of the State. The Minister was addressing a joint meeting of higher ups of Horticulture Department and representatives of various Oil companies. The Minister said Government is committed to facilitate the fruit growers on every front to produce quality fruit in the State. He asked oil companies to ensure timely availability of HMOs and to fulfil all codal formalities to ensure quality check of the spray oils. Veeri said flying squads shall be deployed in rural areas for proper checking of pesticides and spray oils. He said the department will act strictly against black marketers and hoarders of HMOs and anyone found doing so shall be dealt with severely. He asked Director Enforcement to make foolproof agreement for maintaining quality and standard of HMOs. “The Horticulture Development officers who are already delegated with powers of enforcement inspectors shall be geared up for timely action against spurious pesticides and HMOs in market” the Minister said and added that a core group at district headquarters shall be established to give updates regarding status of enforcement agencies. The Minister said that a meeting of all stakeholders shall be convened next week to sort out measures and to take a final decision to ensure availability of Horticulture Mineral Oils in the State.
