Agri scientists asked to lay more emphasis on R&D

A correspondent

JORHAT, JUNE 16: Agri scientists, comptrollers, researchers and faculties have asked to emphasize more on research and development and at the same time in the field of extension.

“Over the past four years the Centre has become proactive as it has introduced a lot of schemes. And as far as the implementation of the financial schemes are concerned, the Central government has been laying emphasize on three words – Respect, Suspect and Inspect,” said Dr. NS Rathore, DDG, ICAR, incharge of Agricultural Education during his address as the guest of honour of the third interactive meet of Comprotrollers from all Agricultural Universities from the country that was held at Assam Agricultural University Board Room here on Saturday.

Dr. Rathore said: “The Central government always says that let us suspect everyone as we are open for each and everyone and do not have any biasness for any State or Union Territory. For them all the States and Union Territories are equal and that is the reason why they respect each and everyone concerning the new schemes. But at the same time government is vigilant as there are a lot of malpractices which have been recently identified. That is why the government is always suspecting whether the money which are being supplied and given to the State agricultural universities are properly, judiciously utilized or not.”

The government earlier has also found lots of loopholes in the utilization of funds that was meant for the scheme and as per as capital fund utilization is concerned, we have to work very fast as within one and half year we have to reach our goal. Moreover, GRF, HRF have been enhanced to give more benefits to the students through National Agricultural Higher Education Project. In the first phase 8 universities have been short listed under the Institution Development project in the first phase while other universities will be short listed in phase manner, said DDG Dr. Rathore.

The initiative taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide thrust to new schemes and for the utility of the funds the system was upgraded and the monetary system was all made online, said Dr. Pandey, ADG, ICAR for Agricultural university, Sew Delhi who attended as the guest speaker.

Proper utilization of ICAR funds under various schemes in stipulated time and keeping the commitment for research and development in the field of agriculture should be the motive of every agricultural scientist from throughout the country, said Dr. Kamal Malla Bujarbaruah, the vice chancellor of Assam Agricultural University who attended as the chief guest.