the goan I network
MAPUSA
With the agriculture department cracking the whip in a bid to regulate the plant nursery business in the State, many nursery owners have been finding the procedures for new license or renewal very rigid and cumbersome.
The existing licensed owners face the brunt as they are made to undergo the entire registration process again. Some of the licensed owners termed the new registration format nothing short of harassment.
“Once the license is given it’s only the issue of changing dates. But the department has started the whole process all over again. When I come for renewal you don’t tell me to start the process all over again just because you have not done your homework,” an exasperated license holder said choosing to remain anonymous.
Another licensed owner informed that the department has started online registration but instead of simplifying the procedures it has become just the opposite.
“The procedures are very cumbersome. They should simplify it at least for those who are registered. For us it should have been auto renewal. If they want to hammer the nail they should do it against the illegal ones operating in the entire state,” he said.
Sources said that quite a few owners who had come to obtain new license at the Zonal Agriculture Office, Mapusa couldn’t do so due to the “difficult” process.
There were also complaints of some technical issues with the online registration.
Assistant Director of Agriculture, Satej Kamat said that the department issues a license only after verifying all the material on record.
“As per the plant nursery act the owners have to authenticate and substantiate their claims. They have to give us documents from that State or from the party from whom they have brought the plants, and which in turn has to be recognized by the state. When they (owners) cannot do it, we are handicapped,” Kamat said.
He said as per the Act there was a concept of mother plant which safeguards the interest of consumers.
“Unless the mother plant is there you cannot have a progeny. Today many people are bringing plants from outside the State. No one knows where the mother plant is,” Kamat said.
The assistant director agreed that some documents could not be uploaded online but added that ZAO officials were there to assist.
