Financial Commissioner Chairs Pre-Budget Review Meeting for Agriculture & Horticulture Sector
27/11/2025
Jammu, November 27 (KIP)- The Financial Commissioner/Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department (APD), Shri Shailendra Kumar, today chaired a Pre-Budget Meeting to discuss the Revised Estimates (RE) 2025-26 and Budget Estimates (BE) 2026-27 for the Agriculture and Horticulture Sectors of Jammu & Kashmir.
The meeting focused on a detailed review of expenditure and proposed allocations under CAPEX, HADP, SASCI, CSS and NABARD. All Heads of Departments (HoDs) of Agriculture and Horticulture, along with Planning, Finance and District Officers, attended the meeting at Directorate of Agriculture, Krishi Bhawan, Talab Tillo, Jammu. Officers from the Kashmir Division participated virtually from the Directorate of Agriculture, Kashmir.
Those present included Secretary APD, Director Finance APD, Director (Planning) APD, Managing Director JKAGROS; Secretary Kisan Advisory Board; Director Agriculture, Director Horticulture, Director CAD Jammu; Director Sericulture; representatives of SKUAST-J & SKUAST-K; Joint Directors of Agriculture and allied sectors; Accounts Officers; Deputy Director Agriculture (Planning); All Chief Agriculture and Horticulture officers of jammu Division, scientists and senior officers of the department.
During the meeting, the Financial Commissioner emphasized that special attention is being given to ensure expenditure under HADP, CSS, and CAPEX aligns with long-term infrastructure development goals of the agriculture and horticulture sectors. He conducted an extensive review of CSS components under Krishonnati Yojana, highlighting flagship schemes including PMKSY, PDMC, SMAM, RAD, RKVY, PKVY, ATMA, NFSM, and others aimed at promoting rural prosperity and farm sustainability.
He issued clear instructions to all departments under the APD to integrate awareness on stray animal management during every extension activity, noting that this is also in compliance with directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court. He stressed that stray animals must not be seen within office premises and directed that Nodal Officers be appointed in each department to monitor and manage stray animal–related responsibilities.
Reviewing the PDMC component, he stressed strengthening micro-irrigation initiatives and directed officers to enhance farmer awareness regarding micro-irrigation facilities and associated subsidies. He added that the greatest benefits must reach farmers who have adequate water availability for irrigation expansion.
He further instructed that Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) be circulated to all departments, ensuring that no work is executed outside approved project guidelines. He directed all departments to submit Utilization Certificates (UCs) and ensure financial achievements are reported within one month.
The Financial Commissioner also reviewed the progress of JKCIP, discussed existing bottlenecks, and directed that year-wise targets be communicated to all Chief Officers for effective and timely implementation.
The meeting concluded with a call for coordinated efforts across all wings of the Agriculture Production Department to ensure efficient budgeting, timely project execution, and strengthened farmer-centric service delivery.