By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 8 Feb: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami presented appointment letters to 609 candidates selected for the Agriculture, Horticulture, and Social Welfare Departments at the Himalayan Cultural Auditorium, Garhi Cantt, today. Those given appointment letters included 333 Assistant Agriculture Officers, 37 Class 2 officers, 227 Class 3 officers in the Horticulture and Food Processing Department, and 12 Assistant Social Welfare Officers.
The CM congratulated the newly selected candidates, stating that a new chapter is beginning in their lives. He expressed hope that these young candidates would promote innovation in the agriculture sector in Uttarakhand with their hard work and dedication, and connect farmers with modern agricultural technology.
On this occasion, he also mentioned various initiatives taken by the state government to support farmers, such as offering interest-free loans up to Rs 3 lakhs and providing up to 80 percent subsidy for purchasing agricultural equipment through the Farm Machinery Bank Scheme. He added that the state government is ensuring fair prices for farmers by purchasing millets at a fixed minimum support price through the State Millet Mission. He added the government has also converted tea gardens in Dhauladevi, Munsiyari, and Betalghat to organic tea gardens. The development of six aroma valleys in the state to promote aromatic farming is also underway.
Dhami also mentioned that the government is promoting construction of around 18,000 cluster-based polyhouses to increase farmers’ income and employment opportunities. He reminded that Uttarakhand Climate Responsive Rain-Fed Farming Project, approved at a cost of approximately Rs 1,000 crores, aims to enhance rain-based farming in the mountainous areas. Efforts are also being made to boost fruit production through the Apple and Kiwi Mission.
Dhami also emphasised the Social Welfare Department’s role in uplifting the weaker sections of society by promoting equality, education, health, and employment opportunities. He praised the implementation of strict anti-cheating laws, ensuring transparency in recruitment examinations, and noted that over 20,000 young men and women have been appointed in government services in the past three and a half years.
Agriculture Minister Ganesh Joshi congratulated the selected candidates and their families, wishing them a bright future. He acknowledged the state government’s efforts to provide employment to the youth and expressed confidence that the newly appointed officers will significantly contribute to the progress of Uttarakhand’s farmers.
The event was also attended by MLAs Savita Kapoor and Pramod Nainwal, Secretary SN Pandey, Dr Neeraj Khairwal, Director General, Agriculture and Horticulture, Ranveer Singh Chauhan, Director, Horticulture Deepti Singh, Director, Social Welfare, Prakash Chand, and Director, Agriculture, KS Pathak.
