Peerzada Mohammad Syed is considered to be seasoned politician and eminent face of mainstream politics in Kashmir and currently Minister for Floriculture & Hajj , Auqaf.
In an Exclusive interview with The Kashmir Scenario, Peerzada Mohammad Syed talks with Senior Bureau Chief- Shahzad Hussain Hamdani.
The Chinar tree is considered as a heritage and in particular is a symbol of Kashmir, but since many years now the population of chinar trees is decreasing. We would like to know as to what the Floriculture department is doing towards the plantation and safeguard of the heritage symbol of Kashmir?
You see, we do have a special branch in our department which is working on the preservation of Chinar trees. We are also working for the plantation of more Chinar trees and preservation of the old ones. The plantation drive is also meant to replace the old ones which are now eventually dying. So over all we are working to maintain the beauty with these heritage trees.
As Minister for Floriculture, what are the steps you have undertaken to improve and further build the floriculture sector in Kashmir?
There are two things which we presently focus on; one is commercial floriculture in which we encourage the people of the state to enter into the business of floriculture. The reason for this is that we have visited many places outside the state, and the floriculture sector in those states is far beyond. As far as our state is concerned, it holds its own beauty, but we have not paid much attention to our floriculture sector in comparison to other states. So now we are focussing to develop and foster the commercial floriculture sector in our state. This way it can also generate employment for the people and it can also boost the economy of our state, since there is a lot of potential in commercial floriculture.
Other is that we are also providing technical guidance to people who want to enter into floriculture business. Recently we had called a seminar to encourage those people who have entered commercial floriculture business, Infact one of such person got a reward of rupees tenlacs for the department. So this way we are not only encouraging commercial floriculture but also providing a medium of employment to the people of the state.
As you have talked about commercial floriculture, one question has been raised by many people who deal with or who are associated with floriculture, that there is a lot of potential in lavender plantation and production, but the department is not taking any measure over it. What is our take on it?
Well, see we are doing our level best to work for the plantation of every type of flower which has a good potential. Not only that, we are also trying to establish markets for them. We have witnessed some states like Karnataka, where there is arrangement of flights. The moment flowers are cut and packed, the same moment they are flown to foreign countries. So this type of market is a need in our state and we are trying our level best.
For all this we need cold storages and air conditioned vehicles, and with the grace of Allah Kashmir is blessed with pleasant climate. So to put more life into the beauty of our state, the floriculture sector has an important role to play and we are trying our level best to stand by it.
What schemes are available for commercial floriculture growers during winter seasons?
As you know we have got tulip garden, for that the central government has sanctioned funds for cold storage. We have got almost rupees 4 crore for this, but we are technically lacking somewhere, despite this the process of cold storage is on. As you know that the tulip garden remains for a period of one month only, but we are trying to use technologies, so that it can remain through all season.
The department has also started a Mandi which is now run by an NGO. So what made the department to take such steps, that they handed over the Mandi to an NGO?
The basic thing is we want maximum public participation in the floriculture sector, which also includes voluntary participation. The more people will participate; the better is for the floriculture sector.
Beyond all the efforts which are stated by the floriculture department, the commercial growers have some grievances that the department is not providing much help to them, in comparison to what they mostly state. What is your response to these grievances?
The first thing is that the floriculture department came into existence in the year 2007. Before that it was a part of horticulture department. Now it is a separate department of the state. So it will take time for this new sector to progress. There can be some shortage of staff or experts. But with time all these things will improve.
When we talk about efforts for the public, we have also witness that the state, particularly in Kashmir, there are less number of public parks. So are there any plans which the state government is going to undertake, for establishing more public parks?
This year we had established two new public parks and as much as we can do for the public we are doing our best.
One question is regard to paid parking facilities which are provided by the floriculture department at many places like Mughal gardens and especially at pariMahal. Many people have alleged that the tender process is not as transparent as it should have been. And at many places people from the floriculture department are holding these paid parking facilities since years. What is your response to it?
There is no such thing like that. As far as parking facilities is concerned, we always go through proper channels and the process of tendering is always transparent and moreover there is no space to commit wrong. The person who has the highest bid is given the paid parking. All i can say is that if you have any query, you are welcomed to share with me and i assure you that i am ready to investigate it.
Now coming to another portfolio which you hold, we want to ask you that few years back, a tour and travel agency in Kashmir was booked for duping people who have registered themselves forhajj pilgrimage. And many such cases were followed after that. Why the Government is not taking strict measures against such tour and travel agencies?
The day i took over as minister for hajj and Auqaf, i had taken a strict note of such ill practices. I would like to mention that we have Supreme Court guidelines that all private tour operators have to get themselves registered in Ministry of external affairs. New rules under the guidelines of Supreme Court have been made, and at present there is not a single tour operator in Kashmir, who has not registered himself in Ministry of external affairs.
The moment they will register themselves, they will be eligible to be given the quota as provided by the government. In this regard we also aware the people through newspapers, not to approach such tour and travel operators for Hajj quota who have not registered themselves in ministry of external affairs.
There are also some grievances which many people have from Hajj and Auqaf they are not provided the facilities for which they pay like no proper Hotel rooms and other facilities. Also a number of litigations are pending in this regard against the Hajj committee. Why the government has failed to address the grievances and also failed in providing proper facilities?
The problem is that a number of constructions are going in Mecca and Medina Munawara, and because of these, a lot of problem do occur at times. But we do send a selection team to check facilities and accommodation, prior to time for Hajj.
Another thing is that we didn’t had any proper Hajj house, but now we have a well-established Hajj House and we have been successful to provide all facilities to the people who desire to go for Hajj, like custom clearance and foreign currency. Also we had started flights direct to Jeddah, and this year we are trying to provide direct flights to Jeddah for the Hajis.
As a prominent part of the National Party, and keeping in view the upcoming election, where do you find the position of congress party with respect to the upcoming election in the state of Jammu and Kashmir?
Well, you see the congress party is a very old national party. Its existence is since pre-independent times. In Kashmir, thecongress has always played a very prominent role. We have our presence in all the three divisions of the state and we have always kept and will keep working for the progress of the state.
Your message to the people of state?
The state of Jammu and Kashmir is an economically backward state and we all have to work together for its development. For all this, the basic thing which we require is peace and stability.
There is a lot of talent and potential in Kashmir, which need to be given space to grow and progress.