Guv snubs varsity officials for indifferent attitude

Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan,September 25

Governor-cum-Chancellor Acharya Devvrat today pulled up officials of Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, for failing to set up an experimental farm to implement the zero-budget farming. No land has been allotted for the purpose for the past two years.

Heading the 14th meeting of the university Senate, he said it was appalling to note that this meeting was held after six years.

He also expressed concern at the fact that only 14 Senate meetings had been convened in the university’s 32-year history.

He directed the officials to ensure that the meeting was convened after every nine month so that the key decisions concerning the university were not delayed.

He said the meeting should be convened before the state Budget for liberal financial assistance.

Taking exception to the absence of some members and key officials of the Horticulture and Forest Departments, who had sent their representatives, the Governor said this was a reflection of their indifference towards the university.

Decrying the lack of practical applicability of the research carried out in the university, he suggested that every Ph.D student should work with a group of 15 to 20 farmers.

The agrarian community should benefit from the research activities by practically applying it in the field.

The students should be granted Ph.D degrees after successful practical implementation of their work. Since no such system existed in the university, research was merely confined to files though it could enhance the farm income.

He also directed the officials to disseminate agricultural information to farmers in Hindi and local dialect for wider understanding.

The Governor also stressed the need to constitute a regulatory body to bridge the gap between the Agriculture and Horticulture Departments. He also directed the officials to formulate a policy to check the unauthorised sale of pesticides.

He said efforts of the Sikkim Government in this respect were laudable and it had become the leading state to implement organic farming.

On the contrary, arable land in Himachal was being transformed into barren land following indiscriminate use of pesticides.

He urged the officials to chalk out a policy to double farm income by 2021. Others present included Vice-Chancellor Dr HC Sharma, Registrar Rajesh Maria and other members.