Sachin Malik Lucknow: With the objective of Strengthening modern, transparent and farmer-centric management in Uttar Pradesh agricultural markets, a 45-day special training Programme for newly appointed Mandi Secretaries commenced on Monday. Organised by the State Agricultural Produce Market Board at IICMRT in Lucknow, the Programme was inaugurated with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp. During the training, the Secretaries will also undertake an all-India Study tour to learn about the functioning of leading mandis and modern agricultural marketing centres across the Country.
Addressing the training session, Principal Secretary, Agriculture, Dr. M.K.S. Sundaram, said that the State Government is continuously introducing reforms to make the agricultural marketing system more Effective and farmer-friendly. Mandi Secretaries Play a crucial role in ensuring that the benefits of these reforms reach farmers. He urged the newly Selected Secretaries to Give the highest Priority to transparency, accountability and farmers’ interests While discharging their Duties.
Mandi Board Director Jitendra Pratap Singh said that the Board has Gained a new cadre with diverse educational Qualifications and Prior Professional experience.
The objective of the training is to develop their capabilities in line with the requirements of mandi management. He added that Study visits to mandis in different States would familiarise the secretaries with diverse agricultural marketing Practices, Ultimately benefiting the mandis of Uttar Pradesh and the farming Community.
The 45-day training Programme, organised with the support of experts from the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection (DMI), Government of India, will cover the Mandi Act, financial management, E-NAM and other digital Systems. As Part of the Programme, the newly appointed secretaries will also visit leading mandis and modern agricultural marketing centres in various States. They will observe the arrival of agricultural Produce, auction and Price-determination Procedures, facilities available to farmers and traders, Grading of Produce, Storage, transportation and digital marketing systems. Case Studies and Practical action Plans have also been incorporated into the Training.
New Mandi Secretaries Bring Experience from Revenue to Defence Services
Of the 116 newly Selected Mandi Secretaries Who have assumed Charge, 59 or approximately 51 Percent, have Prior work experience. According to the available department-wise data, the highest number, 23 Secretaries, have Previously worked in the Revenue Department. In addition, seven have experience in finance, accounts, taxation and the cooperative sector, six each have worked in Panchayati Raj and district courts, five come from the defence Services, three each from the Railways and Police and two each from banking and the Forest Department. The remaining two newly Selected Mandi Secretaries have experience in other departments. Their administrative and Practical Experience across various departments is expected to contribute to the Effective functioning and management of Mandis.
Of 126 Selected Mandi Secretaries, 84 Are Science Graduates and 42 Hold Degrees in Other Disciplines
The educational backgrounds of the newly Selected Mandi Secretaries are also diverse. According to departmental data, out of 126 Selected candidates, 84 are Graduates in Science, while the remaining 42 hold degrees in other disciplines. The Selected candidates also include individuals with Postgraduate Qualifications, B.Ed., D.El.Ed and other additional educational credentials. Young Professionals with technical Qualifications, including Postgraduate diplomas in Remote Sensing and GIS and diplomas in Civil Engineering, are also Part of the new cadre. Of the total 126 Selected candidates, 116 have so far assumed Charge as Mandi Secretaries.
Yogi Government Reforms Ensure Transparency in Recruitment and Recognition of Merit
Previously, recruitment to the Mandi Board and mandi committees was carried out at the Board level under the Board Service regulations. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the State Government introduced reforms in the recruitment system and adopted a fair, transparent and merit-based Selection Process through independent recruitment Commissions.
Recruitment to higher-Grade Mandi Secretary Posts is conducted through the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission, while the newly appointed Secretaries in the Present recruitment Cycle were Selected through a competitive examination conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission.
This Change has Provided talented Young candidates with an opportunity to advance on the basis of their merit and Abilities.
