Srinagar, Aug 10: Government commitment to provide financial support for the construction of sheds under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) has proved a damp squib, with the farmers complaining being left high and dry.
 The farmers from different districts of the Kashmir Valley complained that even though on the directions of the authorities they constructed sheds “we are yet to receive the payment that we are entitled to under the RKVY.” 
 Pertinently, under the scheme, farmers are given up to Rs 1.5 lakh for the construction of sheds which they can use for the storage of the agriculture produce.
 “On the instructions and assurance of the officials of horticulture department, we started construction of the sheds but once the sheds were ready, they are dilly-dallying the reimbursement,” they said.
 According to sources the situation in Ganderbal district is worse. “Here for past six months the farmers have been running from pillar to post to get the benefit under the centrally sponsored scheme, but so far they have not received the due reimbursement,” sources said.
 The farmers in the district said: “On the instructions of the Horticulture department we constructed sheds as per the design given by the department for storage of fruits. We have spent at least Rs 3 lakh on each shed though we were promised to get only Rs 1.5 lakh/shed as reimbursement under this scheme.”
 “For last more than six months we haven’t received a single penny though we have constructed the sheds,” they said, adding that they were assured that the payment would be disbursed within two weeks after the shed was constructed.
 The farmers said the Department showed much urgency prior to the construction of the sheds and asked “us to complete the sheds as early as possible.”
 The farmers said though they completed the sheds months ago, yet the Department did not release their payment.
 Muhammad Maqbool, a farmer, said: “We have raised loans from our nears and dears  to construct the sheds with a hope that the department will release the payment and we will repay the loans. Months have elapsed yet the payment has not been released.”
 The farmers said that Chief Horticulture Officer, Ganderbal, had assured that funds would be released within two weeks, but two months have passed since, and “we haven’t received anything.”
 However, a senior official in the department blamed the shortage of funds and internal bickering in the department that have led to the delay in the payment of the arrears in favour of the farmers under RKVY scheme.
He said since past few months the department was not functioning properly. “First the Director was transferred. When the new incumbent joined, his appointment was challenged in the court of law. All this has affected the work in the department,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 10 Aug 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 10 Aug 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 11 Aug 2012 00:00:00 IST