Kunzar, April 11: Hailing it for playing a “vital role” in the economic development of the state, minister for Agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir said the J&K Bank would be given the responsibility of crop insurance to provide assistance to the farmers at the time of natural calamities. The Minister was speaking after the inauguration of 295th ATM at Kunzar, Tangmarg.
 President J&K Bank and Branch Manger were present at the occasion. Calling it an Aaam Aadmis Bank, the Minister said the  Bank has a greater responsibility to boost the rural economy by way of providing low interest loans to the growers and artisans.
 He stressed upon the bank authorities to enhance credit in agriculture, horticulture and handicraft sectors that would help the major chunk of population of the state to widen their activities in their respective fields.
 The Minister was informed that the growth of cash credit in agriculture increased 29 per cent after a gap of 60 years in North Kashmir and said that this trend would continue in near future also.
 Referring to the role of bank with regard to implementation of SK Employment Policy Mir said the success of the scheme is in the hands of bank, how fast they sanction the loan cases of unemployed youth under the scheme recommended by various government agencies for the setting up of entrepreneurship units. He said government is very much hopeful that the scheme would provide succour to the job seekers and stressed them to come forward to take benefit of the scheme. He lauded the role of bank for providing easy educational loans to the students particularly the poor.
 Replying the questions raised by some local journalists on the occasion regarding strike of employees, Mir appealed employees to call off the strike and resume their duties for the welfare of the people particularly for the future of poor students and patients.
 He said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had made commitment on the floor of House that the demands of the employees will be addressed but they should cooperate with the administration till the resources become available to meet out the same. He said that they are also the part of the society and it is their responsibility to work for the common masses who are facing a lot of hardships due to the strike.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 11 Apr 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 11 Apr 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:00:00 IST