A deputation of senior citizens from Keller today called on District Development Commissioner Shopian and put forth demand for immediate relief to farmers for loss to fruit crops due to hail storm in the district recently.The deputation informed the DDC that the Keller area witnessed a heavy hail storm on the evening of June 17, damaging about 90 to 100% of the fruit crops. Areas severely impacted due to hailstorm included keller, Pahlipora A and Pahlipora B. The deputation requested the DDC to assess the loss and take immediate measures to compensate the farmers.Issues including establishment of Degree College, play field, cultural hall and community laboratory at Keller, expediting work on receiving station and macadamization of roads were also discussed threadbare in the meeting.
The deputation called upon DDC to make efforts to bring keller tehsil on the tourism map, given the immense potential of the area.While speaking on the occasion, the DDC assured the deputation that all of their demands will be looked into and every possible will be done to address them. He directed the concerned tehsildar and chief horticulture officer to assess the loss of fruit crops and submit the report at the earliest. He further added that in future the district administration would take up the matter of insurance of crops with various banks/insurance companies so that the farmers can get their crops secured against the weather vagaries.The DDC informed the deputation that very soon the district administration will come up with an effective marketing platform in the form of e-mandi, in order to minimize the gap between the growers and buyers and do away with all sorts of pilferages.