Minutes of the Video Conference Meeting with State Government Officials on the Status of Soil Health card – 03.01.2017
Discussions were held with the State Governments over video to review the Status of progress of Soil Health Card Scheme under the Chairpersonship of JS (INM).
The general feedback obtained from the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal and Assam. The progress of soil sample collection is satisfactory however soil testing and printing and distribution of Soil Health Cards (SHCs) needs to be speed up in some states/ UTs.
The state-wise salient points discussed are presented below:
Sl. No. / State/UT / Salient Points discussedI. SOUTH ZONE
1. / Andhra Pradesh / Soil sample collection and testing will be completed by end of January 2017 and printing of SHCs is good. CSC is being involved for speed up printing of SHCs.
2. / Karnataka / Progress is picked up in soil sample collection and printing. A separate dedicated server has been allotted to speed up printing of the SHCs.
3. / Kerala / Progress of printing of SHCs is not good. CSC is being involved to enhance the printing of SHCs
4. / Tamil Nadu / Progress of SHC is good in all aspects. Distribution of SHC 64% has been completed. Some additional amount towards salary of contractual staff raised and it was advised to adjust the salary from existing budget at state level only.
II. WEST ZONE
5. / Madhya Pradesh / It was informed that remaining 2 lakh soil samples are to be completed within this month. Soil testing will be enhanced by introducing double shifts and make sure for timely availability of chemicals and man power. Buildings of 70 out of 265new STLs are ready to work. The NIC was asked to closely monitor with CSC to take up the pending work of registration and printing of SHCs in states. The states were also advised to keep close look on the data entered by CSC as procured from Blocks to minimize the errors. Ms Pratibha for NIC informed that NIC – CSC interface has been prepared in almost all the states. The NIC also requested states (specially Rajasthan & MP) to furnish their requirement of new servers so that NIC may render its help to allot code and install server. The NIC ensured to update the progress to JS (INM) through email. The present analyzing capacity of 72000 samples should be increased to at least 2 lakh samples per month. MP state was advised to create its own server just like in states of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat to ensure speedy output in printing of SHCs.
6. / Maharashtra / The work is satisfactory. Sample collection is completed, testing is 85% completed and will be completed by Mid-February & additional computers and printers purchased so that printing will be completed in targeted time.
7. / Rajasthan / Only 40% soil testing is completed. Significant increase in Lab strength from 39 to 104, the Labs should introduce double shifting. It was ensured by state that progress of testing will be increased to at least 150000 samples per month from present 72000 samples. Printing of SHCs is low and should put more efforts to enhance the progress.
8. / Goa / All soil samples collected and tested, only 5000 SHCs to be printed by end of February.
III. NORTH ZONE
9. / Haryana / Soil sample collection is good but testing and printing of SHCs to be increased. Need to involve CSC in printing. The final meeting for tenders for printing will be held today. Also it was informed that meeting with CSC is scheduled at 4.00 PM tomorrow to finalize the partnership in printing of SHCs.
10. / Uttar Pradesh / Soil Testing is to be enhanced. State informed that tenders for purchase of AAS have been cleared by administration and orders for procurement new ASS will be placed. A team involving ADA, JDA and Technical expert will be visiting Karnataka to discuss to enhance Printing of SHCs. The official from Karnataka was asked to provide necessary input in this regard.
11. / Himachal Pradesh / Targets already achieved
12. / Jammu & Kashmir / Progress in Kashmir valley is not good.
IV. EAST ZONE
13. / Bihar / Could not attend due to holiday in state
14. / Jharkhand / Assured that sample collection and soil testing will be completed up to end of February. The MOU with CSC is completed and start work after 11 of January to increase printing of SHCs. JS (INM) has ensured to help in arranging fund to purchase auto analyzer in STL.
15. / Odisha / Soil sample collection is good. The transfer of soil samples to STLs of other sister departments/ organizations are being done to increase testing capacity of soil samples. Printing of soil samples is only 50% which require more efforts at state level. CSC is being involved to enhance registration of samples and printing of SHCs.
16. / West Bengal / Progress in all respects is not good. It was ensured that soil sample collection will be completed up to 15th March 2017. The soil testing capacity will be increased to 1.2 lakh samples per month. Printing of SHCs has been geared up and told that it will be completed by March end.
V. NORTH EAST ZONE
17. / Assam / The soil testing and printing of soil samples require extra efforts. State informed that CSC has been involved to increase printing of SHCs and double shifts have been introduced to enhance soil testing. 45 new minilabs out of newly sanctioned 215 minilabs has started working. The soil testing capacity will be increased to 1,80, 000 per month. It was informed that the soil sample collection will be completed upto March end.
The meeting ended with vote of thanks to the chair and all the participating states.
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