Srinagar, June 1: The proposal on merger of J&K Horticulture Produce Marketing Corporation (JKHPMC) with Horticulture Planning & Marketing Department has come in for stiff resistance from the officials of the latter who apprehend the move could “hit the interests of the department.”
 The employees of Horticulture (P&M) Department said if the government approved the proposal “we will resist it tooth and nail.”
 Arguing that the merger would be in total disregard to the set government policy on the issue, the employees said, “It will affect the service career of departmental officials by marring their promotional avenues.”
 The employees said the department had submitted a proposal for its reorganization that was under active consideration of the administration. “But the JKHPMC has all of a sudden come up with a proposal of merger creating confusion in the department,” they said.

 The employees said instead of mulling any merger, the government should focus on strengthening the corporation independently.
 “Present condition of the corporation is that it is not able to meet out its expenditures and is unable to pay salaries of its employees for months together,” they said.

 They said the merger between the two could be a mismatch. “The Department of Horticulture (P&M) has advisory and guiding role for the welfare of J&K State Fruit & Vegetable growers, whereas objective of JKHPMC is purely to undertake commercial activities.  With the enforcement of APMR  Act 1997, the role of Department of Horticulture (P&M) is also that of a fruit  and vegetable market regulator, whereas role of JKHPMC is merely that of a trader,” they said.

 The employees said the merger shall not only adversely affect the working culture prevailing among employees of Department of Horticulture Planning & Marketing, but will also lead the department towards deterioration.
 The employees cautioned that if the government approves such a proposal then it would open a floodgate for all other sick Public Sector Units (PSU) to demand their merger with departments.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 1 Jun 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 1 Jun 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 2 Jun 2010 00:00:00 IST