Directs targeted action for TB eradication, boost KCC loan uptake, and district-wide soil health assessment for better farm productivity
Baramulla, July 14:
Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Joint Secretary (JS), Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India, and Central Prabhari Officer for NITI Aayog’s Aspirational Districts Programme, today chaired a meeting at the Dak Bunglow Baramulla to review the progress of the district under various indicators of NITI Aayog’s Aspirational District Programme (ADP).
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Baramulla, Minga Sherpa, Joint Director Planning, Principal GMC, ACD, CMO, and officers from various line departments.
At the outset, the DC Baramulla, Minga Sherpa, presented a comprehensive overview of the district’s performance under 5 key indicators of the ADP, including Health and Nutrition, Education, Agriculture and Water Resources, Financial Inclusion and Skill Development, and Infrastructure.
The chair was informed that the district has made remarkable progress in its Delta Ranking, issued by NITI Aayog, and has improved significantly, moving from the 108th position to 35th out of 112 districts, achieving a composite score of 61.3.
Apprising the JS of key health indicators, the DC stated that the district has achieved 100% saturation in major areas, including nutrition support for pregnant women, full child immunization, institutional deliveries and major reduction in infant and maternal mortality rates, reduction in TB cases, and effective implementation of Poshan Abhiyan in combating malnutrition.
Further, the Central Prabhari Officer was informed that the education sector has seen marked improvement, with increased student enrolment, 18 Model Academic Schools & Lab Schools in each of the educational zone, an increase in Atal Tinkering Labs from 2 to 42, consistent pedagogical teacher trainings, and sanitary facilities like incinerators and vending machines have been installed to support female hygiene.
Meanwhile, the Prabhari officer took a comprehensive review of the district under Agriculture and Financial Inclusion, Skill Development, and Infrastructure and expressed his appreciation for the progress made by Baramulla and emphasized the critical role it will play in fostering inclusive economic development.
The Joint Secretary also conducted a comprehensive review of the progress of projects undertaken under the ADP, along with key centrally and state-sponsored schemes such as PMSBY, PMJBY, PM-JDY, PM-APY, PM-MUDRA, HADP.
Speaking during the meeting, the Central Prabhari Officer directed Health Department officials to carry out comprehensive research to identify the root causes of TB in the district and take targeted measures to eliminate them.
Addressing the issue of low uptake of KCC loans by farmers, the Central Prabhari Officer directed the concerned department to constitute a team to thoroughly examine the reasons behind the poor response and suggest measures to improve participation in the scheme.
Meanwhile, the Joint Secretary instructed the concerned department to carry out thorough soil testing across agricultural lands in the district, ensure that farmers are clearly informed about the findings, particularly any nutrient deficiencies, and provide them with tailored recommendations on the types of fertilizers and soil health measures needed to enhance productivity and sustainability.