FUNCTIONS AND STRUCTURE


Functions      

The Department of Agriculture & Cooperation is responsible for the formulation and implementation of national policies and programmes aimed at achieving rapid agricultural growth through optimum utilization of the country’s land, water, soil and plant resources.  The Department undertakes measures to ensure timely and adequate supply of inputs and services such as fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, agricultural implements and also provides agricultural credit and crops insurance to ensure remunerative returns to the farmers for their agricultural produce.  The Department is entrusted with the responsibility for collection and maintenance of a wide range of statistical and economic data relating to agriculture required for development planning, organizing agricultural census, assisting and advising the States in undertaking drought management measures.  The Department is responsible for the formulation of overall Cooperative policy in the country, matters relating to national cooperative organizations, cooperative training and education.  The Department is also responsible for developing general policy relating to the marketing of agricultural produce including pricing, exports etc.  The Department also participates in activities of international organizations for fostering bilateral cooperation in agricultural and allied sectors and for promotion of export of agricultural commodities.  The Department is actively working to protect our National interests in the Forums like World Trade Organisation.  The Department organizes agricultural exhibitions for the farmers; undertakes soil survey in difficult river catchment areas and encourages floriculture, horticulture and other cash crops through its various schemes/programmes for the benefit of the farming community.

 

Structure 

The Department of Agriculture & Cooperation is a Department in the Ministry of Agriculture.  The Agriculture Minister supported by a Minister of State holds overall charge of the Ministry of Agriculture comprising three Departments, viz. Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Department of Agricultural Research & Education.  The Secretary (Agriculture & Cooperation) is the administrative head of the Department and principal adviser to the Minister on all matters of policy and administration within the Department.  He is assisted by one Special Secretary, four Additional Secretaries, Agriculture Commissioner, Economic and Statistical Adviser, eight Joint Secretaries, Horticulture Commissioner, Chairman-Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), Agricultural Marketing Adviser, Plant Protection Adviser etc. 

2.         The Department is organized into 25 Divisions and a Technology Mission on Oilseeds,  Pulses & Maize.  In addition, it has four attached offices and twenty subordinate offices spread all over the country for coordination with State level agencies and for implementation of Central Sector Schemes in their respective fields.  There are two public sector undertakings, seven autonomous bodies and eleven national level cooperative organizations with the Department (Appendix-I).

 

Administrative Improvements 

Efforts were continued for bringing about improvements in administrative functioning in the Department.  An Administrative Vigilance Unit functions under a Joint Secretary designated as Chief Vigilance Officer to ensure a clean and corruption free atmosphere through surveillance, preventive measures besides disciplinary action.  The Joint Secretary in charge of vigilance has been nominated as nodal officer to coordinate and monitor action on complaints and allegations of corruption.  In pursuance to the instructions of the Central Vigilance Commission, the Vigilance Awareness Week was observed in the Department from 31.10.2002 to 6.11.2002.  In sequence of the observance, a pledge was administered to all the officers and staff of the Department. 

The Grievance cell set up in the Department as well as in the attached and subordinate offices continued to ensure speedy redressal of grievances received from public or employees directly or through the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances.  Joint Secretary (A&PG) has been given the responsibility to ensure expeditious disposal of grievances.  Any employee who has a grievance can meet him on every Wednesday between 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

To ensure effective and responsive administration, a NICNET based Public Information & Facilitation Centre also functions in Krishi Bhavan.  A Computerized self operating Kiosk has been established for facilitating free and independent access to general public.  It provides information about the Departments under the Ministry of Agriculture.  During the year 2002-2003 around 2500 people visited the Centre as against 1500 reported last year,  seeking information on various agriculture related subjects, besides inquiries over telephone and e-mail. 

A “Citizens’ Charter”  has also been prepared and made public through the print and electronic media.  A copy of the Charter is given at Appendix-II.

 

Progressive use of Hindi 

            The Department has an Official Language Implementation Committee(OLIC) under the Chairmanship of Joint Secretary(Administration) to monitor the implementation of the Official Language Policy of the Union and progressive use of Hindi in the official work of the Department.  During the year under review, meetings of the Official Language Implementation Committee were held regularly.  Divisional Committees have also been constituted under the respective Heads of Divisions to ensure the progressive use of Hindi in the concerned Division.  Meetings of these Committees were also held.  In accordance with the guidelines issued by the Deptt. of Official Language, a Joint Hindi Salahkar Samiti for all the three Departments of the Ministry of Agriculture has been constituted.  

            Hindi Division continued to review the position of progressive use of Hindi in the sub-ordinate offices regularly through quarterly progress reports.  Besides, officers of the Hindi Division also participate in the meetings of the Official Language Implementation Committees of the Attached/Subordinate Offices/Corporations etc. located in and around Delhi and extended necessary guidance to them in removing the short-comings in the implementation of the Official Languages Act and Rules.  During the year, officers of Hindi Division inspected 10 Sections and 11 Offices under the control of Department of Agriculture & Cooperation to review the progressive use of Hindi in their official work. 

            During the year, 13 officers/employees of the Department were nominated for training in Hindi Language in Prabodh, Praveen and Pragya courses under Hindi Teaching Scheme of the Department of Official Language.  Similarly, 14 Lower Division Clerks and 6 Stenographers were nominated for training in Hindi typewriting and Hindi Stenography respectively. 

            Under the incentive scheme for promoting the use of Hindi in the official work of the Department, an Assistant, an Accountant, 2 U.D.Cs and 2 Junior Technical Assistants are being considered for cash awards for doing original notings and drafting in Hindi. 

            With a view to create consciousness to use Hindi in the official work of the Department a ‘Hindi Fortnight’ was held from 13-9-2002 to 27-9-2002.  During the fortnight various Hindi Competitions such as Essay writing, Noting & Drafting, Translation & Vocabulary, Poetry recitation and Debate were organized.  A dictation competition was organized separately for Group ‘D’ employees.  It has been decided to give cash awards and certificate of appreciation to the winners of the above competitions.  Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture issued an appeal to all the officers and staff of the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation on this occasion for doing more and more work in Hindi. 

            In order to review the position regarding progressive use of Hindi in official work, second Sub-committee of the Committee of the Parliament on Official Language conducted inspection of 7 offices of the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation during the year and by and large expressed its satisfaction in the inspections. 

            Orders have been issued to the officers/employees possessing proficiency in Hindi to do their official work in Hindi.  It has also been decided that all officers/staff members will do their entire noting/drafting in Hindi on the 1st working day of each month.

 

Special Cell: 

Reservation for SC/ST/OBC 

            Department of Agriculture & Cooperation continued its endeavour during the current financial year for strict compliance and implementation of orders issued by the Government of India from time to time regarding reservations in services for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, other backward classes, ex-servicemen and physically handicapped persons.  During the year, the Liaison Officer conducted on-the-spot inspection of reservation rosters maintained by the various appointing authorities as well as of the attached and subordinate offices in the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation.  The Liaison Officer also apprised them of the instructions issued by Department of Personnel & Training from time to time for the maintenance of rosters and implementation of orders on the subject in letter & spirit.

 

Committee on Sexual Harassment

            A High Power Committee is in existence in the Department to look into cases of sexual harassment to the working women.  During the year no such complaint has been received from any of the women employee in the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation.

 

Training in Administration

            During the year 2002-2003, twenty one officers of the Department and its attached and subordinate offices were deputed for training courses/programmes and also for attending workshops/seminars in various fields of management and administration on various subjects conducted by ISTM and other agencies.  In addition, 493 officers and staff have been imparted Computer training in the Department during the year.

 

Appendix-  I

LIST OF FUNCTIONAL DIVISIONS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND COOPERATION.

DIVISIONS:

 

  1. Administration
  2. Agricultural Census
  3. Agricultural Implements and Machinery
  4. Agricultural Marketing
  5. Budget, Finance and Accounts
  6. Cooperation
  7. Credit
  8. Crops
  9. Drought  Management
  10. Economic Administration
  11. Extension
  12. General Coordination
  13. Hindi
  14. Horticulture
  15. Integrated  Nutrient Management
  16. International Cooperation
  17. Information Technology
  18. Natural Resource Management
  19. Policy(including Macro-management)
  20. Plan Coordination
  21. Plant Protection
  22. Rainfed Farming Systems
  23. Seeds
  24. Trade
  25. Vigilance
  26. Technology Mission on Oilseeds, Pulses and Maize

 

INVENTORY OF FIELD FORMATIONS


I.            ATTACHED OFFICES 

1.      Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Shastri Bhavan, ‘F’ Wing, New Delhi.

2.      Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices, Shastri Bhavan, ‘F’ Wing, Second Floor,  New Delhi.

3.      Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage, N.H.IV, Faridabad (Haryana).

4.      Directorate of Marketing & Inspection, N.H.IV, Faridabad (Haryana). 

II.        SUB-ORDINATE OFFFICES 

1.      Central Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institute, Budni (Madhya Pradesh).

2.      Northern Region Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institute, Hisar (Haryana).

3.      Southern Region Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institute, Garladinne, Distt. Anantapur (A.P.).

4.      North Eastern Regional Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institute, Bishwanath Chiarali,  Distt. Sonitpur (Assam).

5.      Directorate of Cotton Development, 14, Ramjibhai Kamani Marg, Ballard Estate, P.B. No.1002, Mumbai-400 030 (Maharashtra).

6.      Directorate of Jute Development, 234/4, Acharya Jagdish Bose Road, Nizam Palace Campus, Kolkata-700 020 (West Bengal).

7.      Directorate of Millets Development, Mini Secretariat Building, Room No.710, 6th Floor, Bani Park, Jaipur (Rajasthan).

8.      Directorate of Tobacco Development, 26 Haddows Road, 3rd Floor, Shastri Bhawan Annexe, Chennai-600 006 (Tamil Nadu).

9.      Directorate of Sugarcane Development, B-1/C-896/6, Rahim Nagar Chauraha, Mahanagar, Lucknow (U.P.).

10.  Directorate of Rice Development, 191, Patliputra Colony, Patna- 800 013 (Bihar).

11.  Directorate of Wheat Development, CGO Building, Hapur Road Chauraha, Kamala Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, (U.P.)

12.  Directorate of Extension, Krishi Vistar Bhavan, Dr. K.S. Krishna Marg, IASRI Campus, Pusa, New Delhi-110 012.

13.  Directorate of Oilseeds Development, Telhan Bhavan, Himayat Nagar, Hyderabad-500 029 (A.P.).

14.  Directorate of Pulses Development, 8th Floor, Vindhyachal Bhavan, Bhopal-462 004 (M.P.).

15.  Central Fertiliser Quality Control & Training Institute, N.H.IV, Faridabad (Haryana).

16.  National Bio-fertiliser Development Centre, C.G.O. Complex, 204-Kamla Nehru Nagar, Hapur Road Chauraha, Ghaziabad (U.P.).

17.  Directorate of Cashewnut and Cocoa Development, M.G. Road, Cochin-682 011 (Kerela).

18.  Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development, Cannanore Road, Calicut-673 005 (Kerela).  

19.  Office of the Minister (Agriculture), Embassy of India, ROME (ITALY).

20.  All India Soil and Land Use Survey, IARI Campus, Pusa, New Delhi-110012.  

III.            PUBLIC SECTOR UNDERTAKINGS 

1.      National Seeds Corporation, Beej Bhavan, Pusa Complex, New   Delhi – 110012.

2.      State Farm Corporation of India, Farm Bhavan, 14-15, Nehru   Place, New Delhi–  110 019. 

IV.            AUTONOMOUS BODIES 

1.      Coconut Development Board, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Cochin – 682011 (Kerela).

2.      National Horticulture Board, 85, Sector – 18, Institutional Area, Gurgaon- 122 015 (Haryana).

3.      National Cooperative Development Corporation, 4-Siri Fort Institutional Area, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016.

4.      National Oilseeds and Vegetable Oils Development Board, 86, Sector-18, Institutional Area, Gurgaon-122 015 (Haryana).

5.      Small Farmers’ Agri Business Consortium (SFAC), 4th Floor, PHD House, Siri Fort Institutional Area, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016.

6.      National Institute for Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-500 030.

7.      National Institute of Agricultural Marketing, Kota Road, Bambala, Near Sanganer, Jaipur-303 906 (Rajasthan). 

V.            NATIONAL LEVEL COOPERATIVE ORGANISATIONS

 1.      National Cooperative Union of India, 3, Siri Institutional Area, Khelgaon Marg, New Delhi-110016.

2.      National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited, NAFED House, Sidhartha Enclave, Ashram Chowk, New Delhi.

3.      National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Ltd., Vaikunth (3rd Floor) 82-83, Nehru Place, New Delhi-110019.

4.      National Heavy Engineering Cooperative Ltd., 16, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Pune-400 001 (Maharashtra).

5.      National Federation of Urban Cooperative Banks and Credit Societies, Ltd., B-14, 3rd Floor, Naraina Shopping Complex, Naraina Vihar, New Delhi-110 028.

6.      All India Federation of Cooperative Spinning Mills Ltd., Canada Building, 2nd Floor, 226-Dadabhai Nauroji Road, Mumbai-400 001 (Maharashtra).

7.      National Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Banks Federation Ltd., “Takshila” 2nd Floor G.M. Pasta Road, Dadar (East) Mumbai-400 014(Maharashtra).

8.      National Federation of State Cooperative Banks Ltd., J.K. Chambers, 5th Floor, Plot No.76, Sector-17, Vashi, Navi Mumbai.

9.      National Federation of Fishermen’s Cooperative Ltd., 7-A Sarita Vihar, Institutional Area, New Delhi-110 044.

10.  National Federation of Labour Cooperatives Ltd., 11, Sarita Vihar, Institutional Area, New Delhi-110 044.

11.  National Cooperative Tobacco Growers’ Federation Ltd., Anand (Gujarat). 

 

Appendix - II

 GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINSTRY OF AGRICULTURE

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND COOPERATION

------

CITIZENS’ CHARTER
 

MANDATE/ SERVICES 

            This Department is committed to the welfare and economic upliftment of the farming community in general.

 

OUR SERVICES/ACTIVITIES 


·        Formulation and implementation of  National Policies and Programmes for achieving rapid growth and development  through optimum utilization of country’s land, water, soil and plant resources.

·        Undertakes developmental planning, Agricultural Census, assists  States in undertaking scarcity relief measures and in management of natural calamities.

·        Formulates cooperative policy relating to cooperation and cooperative organisations, cooperative training and education.

·        To bring about integrated development of marketing of agricultural produce and to safeguard the economic interests of the farming community in general.

·        To Formulate policies for improving agricultural extension services by adopting new institutional arrangements through the involvement of NGOs Farmers’ organisations and  Agricultural Universities aiming  at  integrated extension services.

·        Strengthening the cooperative movement through National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED) and National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI).

·        Promoting plant protection measures and practices through dissemination of information and education of various functionaries involved in agricultural production.

·        Supplementing the efforts of State Governments for increasing the production and productivity of agricultural and horticultural crops through promotional programmes..

·        Promoting  measures for production of quality seeds and distribution of improved plant varieties developed by the scientists for increasing productivity.

·        Promotion of farm mechanisation.

·        Developing suitable strategies for rainfed farming through peoples’ participation for holistic and integrated development of potential watersheds and promotion of farming system approach for augmenting  income and nutrition levels of agricultural communities. 

·        Arranging  Agricultural Census and inputs survey through States for providing information on land uses, cropping pattern, tenancy, irrigation, seeds, disbursal of operational holdings and consumption of various inputs.

 

GRIEVANCES REDRESSAL  

This Department is sensitised to redress grievances in a responsible and effective manner through the following:
 

  • A Grievances Cell has been set up in the Department as well as in the     Attached and Subordinate Offices in order to ensure speedy redressal of grievances received from the public and employees directly or through Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances.

·        Joint Secretary (Admn.) functions as Joint Secretary (Public Grievances) in order to ensure expeditious redressal of grievances.  On every Wednesday between 10.00 AM and 1.00 PM, the public can meet the Joint Secretary (Public Grievances) with regard to their grievances and complaints.

·        A Complaints Committee has been constituted to deal with complaints of sexual harassment of women employees in the Department. 

·        This Department would respond to any complaint regarding the programmes and would also interact with the State Governments for redressal of the grievances, timely implementation of the Centrally Sponsored Programmes and Schemes. 

·        E-mail address of the Grievances Cell of the Department has already been registered for grievances monitoring. The e-mail address of the Public Grievances Cell is: pgsgcell@krishi.delhi.nic.in.

·        This Department would like to appeal to the stake holders to provide full and complete information of the grievances in order to enable timely settlement of the issues involved. In any case, Department  would make effort to settle grievances thus received from the stakeholders within a period of three months time.

·        The Citizens’ Charter will  be reviewed annually for further improving our response to the public.

 

·        The information with regard to our programmes and activities can be accessed in our website.

 

·        The information will also be provided through publications which are available through the Information and Facilitation Centre.


TIME FRAME OF REDRESSAL OF THE GRIEVANCES 

(1) Issue of acknowledgement/interim reply.

:

 2 weeks
(2) Forwarding of the grievances petition to the concerned authority.

:

 2 weeks
(3) Final disposal of transferred/referred cases by the concerned Ministry/Department/State and a time limit for informing the petitioner of the outcome.             

:

 3 weeks
(4) Issue of factual information on Parliament Questions

:

 2 days

CONTACT POINTS 

The addresses and phone numbers of the contact persons are as follows:

(1)        Shri Satish Chander,
Joint Secretary (PG)
133, Krishi Bhawan,
New Delhi-110001
Tel. : 23382454 (O)

 
(2)        Ramesh Kumar
Deputy Secretary (GA),
Room  No. 150,
Krishi Bhawan,
New Delhi-110001
Tel. : 23384309 (O)

(3)        Harish Chander,
Senior Analyst
Room No. 457,
Krishi Bhawan,
New Delhi-110001
Tel. : 23388795 (O)