In an effort to revive the ailing orchard industry in the state, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad is "keenly pursuing" to bring orchardists and horticulturists of the state under Central government's farm loan-waiver, J&K Social Welfare Minister Abdul Gani Vakil said today.
Expressing his displeasure over the fact that only a section of fruit growers were being benefitted under Technology Mission Programme, Vakil assurred to bring an end to the "system of pick and choose".
Praising the state government for strengthening Anti-defection act, Vakil said the Congress-PDP coalition government's efforts would prevent horse trading in future.
"This legislation has virtually darkened political career of those unscrupulous politicians whose sole aim of joining politics was aggrandizement at the cost of public exchequer", he said addressing a public meeting at Rafiaabad in Baramulla district.
The legislation was passed by the state assembly in 2006. Putting forward examples of statesmen like Gandhi and Nehru, Vakil said, "motto of individuals joining politics should be to serve public and nation at large".
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Vakil, also JKPCC vice president, appealed to the people to support Congress in the assembly elections scheduled later this year.
The Congress would strive to achieve new heights in progress and development besides tackling unemployment problem if the party forms government with absolute majority, he said.