Srinagar, Sep 27: Former Union Minister and State Congress chief, Prof. Saifuddin Soz, Thursday led a delegation of senior functionaries of his party to meet President Pranab Mukherjee at Raj Bhavan here.
Welcoming the President’s visit to Kashmir valley, Soz took up the issue of 73rd Amendment of the Constitution of India, stating that implementation of these provisions in the State alone will empower Sarpanchs and Panchs to serve the best interests of the people.
Soz said the State Congress has put in strenuous efforts to explain to National Conference that it is high time that the provisions are included and implemented. He also stressed that this measure was good for health of the ruling coalition itself.
The delegation also brought to the notice of President that Congress has approached the Central Ministry of Rural Development to sanction funds for giving honorarium to Sarpanchs and Panchs. Soz sought support from Mukherjee on the issues.
The delegation included Muhammad Muzaffar Parray, Bashir Ahmad Magrey, Gulam Nabi Monga, Abdul Majid Padder, Khem Lata Wakhloo, Muhammad Anwar Bhat, Amreen Bader, Abdul Gani Khan, Zahid Hussain Jan, Master Muhammad Maqbool, Farooq Andrabi, Shiekh Ishfaq, Muhammad Sultan Mundoo, Shameema Raina, Habla Kar, Shameema Sopori.
Soz also led delegations of Saffron Growers Association, Kashmir Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union and Kashmir Artisans Association to meet the President.
Saffron growers highlighted the fact that while they can guarantee supply of high quality Saffron without any trace of adulteration, there has to be a wide market available in India for their product which is not the case this time as large quantity of Saffron is imported from Iran which is inferior to Saffron grown in Kashmir. They also requested the President to inaugurate the Spice Park which is an approved project.
The Artisans Association Kashmir represented the fact that while their products are traditionally of high quality, fake materials of carpet, shawls, etc, are sold within and outside India with the label ‘Made in Kashmir.’ This fraudulent practice has to be stopped. They demanded enhancement of stipend in favour of the National Awardees and they also sought help of the President in setting up a permanent exhibition for their products somewhere around civil lines in Srinagar so that tourists have access to products of high quality.
The Horticulturists demanded that the apples be also brought under the scheme in Agriculture for insurance. They also demanded the abolition of export tax for export of apple to Bangladesh. They further demanded that export of horticulture produce from Kashmir to foreign countries be encouraged. Further they demanded subsidy in transporting horticulture produce outside J&K.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 27 Sep 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 27 Sep 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 28 Sep 2012 00:00:00 IST