Lok Sabha Question No. 2470 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-06
Subject: Krishi Vigyan Kendras
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri N K Premachandran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2 470

TO BE ANSWERED ON 6 TH  AUGUST, 2024

## KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRAS

## 2470.  SHRI N K PREMACHANDRAN:

Will  the  Minister  of  AGRICULTURE  AND  FARMERS  WELFARE कृ षि और ककसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government proposes to implement uniform service rule protecting the service ethics of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) employees and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

- (b) the details regarding the hurdles for implementing the uniform service rule;
- (c) the initiatives taken by the Government to promote the functioning of KVKs;

(d) whether the Government proposes to start more KVKs in Kerala and if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government considers that better service is required for the smooth functioning of KVKs and if so, the details thereof;

(f) whether the Government proposes to implement 'Equal pay for Equal work' in KVKs and if so, the details thereof; and

(g) whether the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is instructed to resolve the issue and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ षि और ककसान कल्याण राज्य मंत्री (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY)

(a) & (b): In  accordance with the approved KVK Scheme, the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) are established under the administrative control of various Host Organisations. The staff in these KVKs are the employees of the respective Host Organisation and are recruited  as  per  the  recruitment  policies  and  procedures  of  that  Host  Organisation. Therefore, service conditions of the KVK employees are different based on their Host Organisation.

(c) The following initiatives have been taken for better functioning of the KVKs:

- Technical staff of the KVKs are regularly trained on latest agricultural technologies for upgrading their knowledge and skill.

- Management Development Programme is organized for the newly recruited heads of the KVKs for better management of KVKs.
- KVK Portal has been developed to integrate all the KVKs of the country for online monitoring and management of KVKs and to disseminate useful knowledge and technologies to farmers.
- The KVKs  have been provided with different demonstration units, farm machineries and vehicles.
- As  per  requirement,  number  of  KVKs  have  been  strengthened  with  other infrastructure  facilities  like,  Pulses  seed  hubs,  soil  testing  kits,  micro-irrigation systems, etc.
- Collaboration with different Departments have been made for different activities like establishment of District Agro-Met Units in KVKs in convergence with India Meteorological  Department;  and  organization  of  Frontline  Demonstrations  on oilseeds and pulses and Skill Development Training Programmes in convergence with Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare.

(d) National Commission on Agriculture (1976) in its report on 'Research, Education and Extension', recommended to have one KVK in each district. Opening of New KVKs in newly created districts is a continuous process as per the prescribed procedure and guidelines.

(e)  to  (g): In  accordance  with  the  Memorandum  of  Understanding/Memorandum  of Agreement, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) provides grant for the project on Krishi Vigyan Kendra according to the pattern of assistance approved under the  KVK  Scheme  subject  to  personnel  and  budgetary  limitation  imposed  by  the Government of India from time to time.  The assistance for salary is given in respect of modest office staff necessary to support the Scheme, in addition to the cost of approved recurring and non-recurring items based on the pattern of assistance applicable to KVKs. The pay scales for the different posts sanctioned for KVKs are approved as per the KVK Scheme and ICAR provides salary assistance to KVKs accordingly.

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