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Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir

Shalimar 190025

MINUTES OF THE 30TH MEETING OF UNIVERSITY COUNCIL OF SHER-E-KASHMIR

UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES & TECHNOLOGY OF KASHMIR

(SKUAST-K)

The 30th Meeting of University Council of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural

Sciences & Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) was held on October 17, 2016 at Raj

Bhavan, Srinagar under the Chairmanship of Shri N. N. Vohra, Chancellor, SKUAST-K (Governor, J&K); Ms. Mehbooba Mufti, Pro-Chancellor (Chief Minister, J&K) participated in

the meeting.

Present:

i. Shri Ghulam Nabi Lone, Minister for Agriculture, J&K.

ii. Mr. B.B. Vyas, IAS

Financial Commissioner to Government,

Planning & Development Department, GoJK.

iii. Mr. R. K. Goyal, IAS

Principal Secretary to Government, Home Department

(Holding charge of Agriculture Production Department, GoJK).

iv. Dr. Nazeer Ahmed,

Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Srinagar.

v. Dr. P.K. Sharma,

Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-J, Jammu.

vi. Dr. Narendra Singh Rathore,

Deputy Director General (Education),

Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi. vii. Professor (Dr. ) C. D. Mayee,

President, South Asia Biotechnology Centre, New Delhi.

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viii. Dr. Imtiaz Ahmed Wani,

Director Budget, Finance Department, (on behalf of Commissioner/Secretary to Government,

Finance Department, GoJK).

ix. Dr. Masudul Haq Wani, Registrar, SKUAST-Kashmir.

(Ex-officio Non-Member Secretary).

The following Members who could not attend the meeting were allowed Leave of Absence:

 Shri Lal Singh, Hon’ble Minister for Forest, Ecology, Environment, J&K.

 Shri Abdul Ghani Kohli, Hon’ble Minister for Animal, Sheep Husbandry & Fisheries,

J&K.  Shri Navin Kumar Choudhary, IAS,

Commissioner/Secretary to Government, Finance Department, GoJK

[Financial Advisor, (Universities)].

Shri P.K. Tripathi, IAS, Principal Secretary to Governor, Jammu and Kashmir also

attended the meeting.

1. Item No. UC 30(01): Calling Calling the House to order and Opening Remarks of the Chair

The Chancellor welcomed the participants to the 30th meeting of the University Council of

SKUAST-Kashmir.

1.1 Presentation by the Vice Chancellor:

Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor, at the request of the Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-K, released

the following University Publications:

 SKUAST Journal of Research (January-June, 2016)  University at a Glance (2016)

 Objective Sericulture

 Towards Sustenance of Agricultural Economy (2016)  Internalizing the Externalities of Urbanization (2016)

 Envisioning Urbanization Process, Issues, Extent, Drivers & Implications (2016)

Vice-Chancellor made a detailed Power-Point Presentation highlighting various initiatives taken by the University since the last meeting of the Council and the major achievements

made in the field of academics, research and extension, infrastructural development and

the future programmes of the University. The Council noted the following significant

achievements:

• University got re-accredited for five years (2015-2020)

• Faculty of Agriculture, Wadura got DBT STAR COLLEGE status for three years

• University students bagged 98 Fellowships/Scholarships (JRF/SRF/ DBT/Maulana Azad/Inspire/Young Scientist etc.)

• 73 students from ICAR quota have been selected for various faculties of the

University

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• Infrastructure and capacity building projects funded by ICAR and 12 Plan Projects

funded by State Government have been completed.

• Six international projects and collaborations have been initiated with IRRI, CIMMYT,

ICRISAT, Italy, Biovarsity International, Netherland (Verbeck), Germany (Bayer-

GIZ-JKI) and Rutzer University USA (MCP-1).

• Mountain Research Centre for Field Crops, Khudwani has been recognized by IRRI, Philippines, for development of cold tolerant rice varieties.

• Animal Biotechnology Centre has been identified as one of the Pioneer Research

Centres for animal cloning (Pashmina goat).

• Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & AH has been identified as Partner in Prime

Ministers Package on Pashmina R&D Programme.

• Nine Scientists secured prestigious International Fellowships - Six UGC Raman Fellowships and three PDF for USA & UK.

• Commemorated 50th Year Indo-Japan Collaboration at SKUAST-K,

Shalimar/Khudwani.

• Seventeen new projects were got approved from various funding agencies worth Rs. 5.68 crores in Agriculture and allied subjects.

Honours/Awards/Publications : 15

• Honours/Awards: 15

• International Fellowships: 09

• Manual/Book Chapters: 61

• Books: 03

• Policy Papers : 07

• Popular Articles & Bulletins: 32

• Research Papers: 281

The discussion/deliberations held on the Vice-Chancellor’s presentation and the decisions taken thereon are summarised as following:

1.1.1 Chancellor observed that as a step towards achieving the goal of food security, the present levels of production and productivity should be bench-marked and

pragmatic targets set for each of the pilot projects so that the progress

achieved becomes verifiable and measurable after every harvest season.

1.1.2 Chancellor advised the Vice-Chancellor to plan for construction of additional

Hostels for girl students so that they stay within the Campus. This will also

enable teaching work being carried out for longer hours, as necessary. Dr. C.D.

Mayee suggested creation of additional residential facilities at each of the Campuses and to seek the required financial support from the ICAR and the

State Government. He expressed the view that at least 80% of the students

should stay in the Campuses of their study programmes. Dr. Rathore, Dy. DG (Education), ICAR, stated that the establishment of girls Hostels in the

universities is one of the ICAR’s priorities. Chancellor advised VC to see that

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the required financial support for construction of girls Hostels is secured from

the ICAR and from the State Government for boys Hostels.

1.1.3 Chancellor suggested that in order to save expenditure incurred by the various

universities in the Valley for getting their publications printed from Printers

outside the State, a fully equipped modern printing press could perhaps be

established as a Start-up venture to cater to the entire printing requirements of the Universities. VC should speak about this with Commissioner, Industries.

1.1.4 Chancellor stressed that the matter regarding occupation of MRCFC, Khudwani,

Apple Research Station Balpora, Pohnu and FoA Waduara by the Police needs to be sorted out most urgently with DGP even if the Forces are required to

remain at their present locations till the presently prevailing situation in the

Valley normalises.

1.1.5 Chancellor stressed sharper focus on the Horticulture Business Management

Degree Programme being instituted by the SKUAST-K under Faculty of

Horticulture at Shalimar Campus, Srinagar, to generate opportunities for self-

employment for skilled youth and acceptablility in the business world of those trained in the managerial skills.

1.1.6 Chancellor advised the VC to maintain data regarding seed replacement and

distribution of varietal seeds of different crops among the farmers.

1.1.7 Vice-Chancellor apprised the Council about the presence of Locust in Zanaskar

and said that it may infest the Kashmir Valley as well in no time as it is fast

spreading. Chancellor stressed the need for immediate action to control the infestation of Locust and asked the University to submit a project in this

regard. He also urged Dr. Rathore, DDG(Edu), ICAR, for ICAR to take note and

move in this matter.

1.1.8 Chancellor directed that Commissioner Agriculture should take urgent action to have Finance Secretary issue an adequately clear circular to define Financial

Autonomy of Universities and the procedures to be followed.

1.1.9 Chancellor advised Commissioner, Agriculture Production Department to precribe a fool proof mechanism to ensure against sale/distribution of spurious

pesticides and insecticides in the State. He also advised urgent action to

ensure operationalisation of Soil Health Cards to determine the optimum cropping pattern as per the pattern of micro-nutrients in the soil.

1.1.10 Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor advised the Farm Universities to produce TV

programmes to highlight the success stories of