These outlets will operate under 378 agriculture service centers in different districts which provide counseling to farmers and distributes subsidized seeds, among others.
“We are trying to devise ways to serve people in every nook and cranny proportionately. With the opening of new service outlets, we will have presence in about 500 places across the country,” Vijoy Kumar Mallick, joint secretary and coordinator of the taskforce, told Republica. “The new outlets will serve people who live far from the existing service centers.” [break]
The taskforce, however, will need to make optimum use of the available manpower as they cannot ask for additional recruitment. It has also been assigned to properly manage the hierarchy while deputing technicians at the proposed service outlets.
At present, there are six service centers in hilly districts and four centers each in Tarai and mountain districts.
The taskforce will set criteria like area of agricultural land and population while selecting locations for the new service outlets.
It will submit report to the ministry within a week.
However, critics say attempt to add service outlets center would not make any difference at a time when technical manpower deputed to service centers are not performing their responsibilities effectively.
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