Srinagar, June 27 : The functioning of the Horticulture Planning and Marketing (HPM) Department in Jammu and Kashmir is facing serious disruptions as multiple senior-level posts have remained vacant for extended periods, severely affecting the implementation of vital agricultural schemes and support services for fruit growers and agro-entrepreneurs.
Reports reaching to Kashmir News Service (KNS) reveal that the position of Joint Director has been unoccupied for nearly a year and a half, while the Deputy Director for Kashmir has been missing from the roster for the past eight months. Adding to the crisis, eight important Area Marketing Officer (AMO) posts—spanning key districts like Pulwama, Ganderbal, Baramulla, and Kishtwar, as well as major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Kolkata have not been filled for over six months. This has significantly slowed down field operations and hindered export-related activities.
“These aren’t just routine vacancies—they are core to the entire marketing framework of horticulture in the region,” said a department official, requesting anonymity. “Without these roles filled, execution of several major schemes has come to a standstill.”
Among the initiatives impacted are the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), the Prime Minister’s Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME), and Cold Chain Infrastructure Projects (CIP).
An official linked with the HADP confirmed that many proposals, including those for storage, packaging, and post-harvest facilities, are stuck in administrative bottlenecks due to the absence of key officers.
Fruit growers and market players are feeling the pinch. “There is nobody to assist us with transportation, market coordination, or grading issues. Our produce is perishable, and delays mean huge losses,” said a fruit trader from Sopore. Likewise, entrepreneurs seeking support under PMFME have complained of delays in approvals and project verifications.
“Despite the scheme being widely promoted, we can’t move forward. Our applications are just sitting idle due to lack of officer availability,” says another entrepreneur from South Kashmir.
The issue also affects the inter-state trade of Kashmiri horticultural goods. “The absence of AMOs in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore has crippled our ability to establish market linkages and respond to shifting demand,” another official noted.
Repeated requests to the Directorate and the parent Administrative Department for urgent appointments have so far yielded no results. With the high-demand fruit season fast approaching, stakeholders are calling on the J&K Government to fill these critical vacancies immediately to restore the department’s functioning and ensure timely execution of key schemes.(KNS)
