Srinagar: For strengthening the implementation of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system and to review the progress on installation of Point-of-Sale (PoS)machines at all the fertilizer sale centres and outlets across Kashmir Division, Director Agriculture Kashmir, Syed Altaf Aijaz Andrabi convened a high level meeting of Chief Agriculture Officers of all the districts of Kashmir Division, officers of Law Enforcement Agencies, other concerned officers, representatives of different fertilizer companies, fertilizer distributers and dealers here today.

Speaking on the occasion, Director Agriculture said that the installation of Point-of Sale machines at all the fertilizer sale outlets across Kashmir Division is one of the series of reforms adopted by the department in bringing transparency in the fertilizer distribution system. He instructed the concerned agencies to achieve 100% target in the installation of “PoS machines” in all the Fertilizer Sale Centres across the Kashmir Division within stipulated timeframe.

He said that these machines are connected to a server that uploads every transaction on the portal and can be monitored in any part of the country. He said these machines display price, quantity and other credentials of the customer, which leaves no scope for any malpractice in the system.

Director Agriculture said that the department is leaving no stone unturned in introducing digitization at its all the levels of functioning in order to strengthen transparency and accountability in the department.

He said that the installation of PoS Machines will definitely keep a check on the black marketing.

Director Agriculture showed displeasure over the absence of some fertilizer distributors in meeting. He ordered the concerned officers to suspend their licenses.

Director Agriculture ordered the concerned officers of Law Enforcement Agency to ensure that any dealer or distributor doing business without PoS Machines, their license should be suspended with immediate effect, their supplies should be confiscated and legal proceedings should be initiated against them.

Director Agriculture impressed upon the representatives of different fertilizer companies to make sure that all the fertilizers are of best quality and adequate supplies available, so that farmers may not face any hardships in getting them at proper time.

Earlier, Joint Director Agriculture Extension, Sonaullah Mir, gave a detailed presentation about the status of implementation of DBT & installation of PoS machines in Kashmir Division. He informed the meeting that almost 70% target in PoS machine installation have already been achieved and work is in progress on rest of the assignment.

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