Expressing serious concern over the huge loss to the various kinds of crops due to heavy rains and unprecedented hailstorm in several parts of the state causing great loss to the farmers, the congress party has urged the Governor to immediately order assessment of losses for the sake of adequate relief to the farmers.In a joint statement to KNS, expressing great concern over the huge loss caused due to heavy rains and unprecedented hailstorm in various parts of the State, especially in Jammu region, JKPCC Senior Vice President Sham Lal Sharma and Chief Spokesperson Ravinder Sharma have said that this has resulted into great loss to the Wheat crops, vegetables and the fruit crops in some parts of the State. They said that there are reports of nearly 100 percent loss to the wheat crops and vegetables & fruits in some areas like Akhnoor, Sunderbani, Beripattan and Nowshera Tehsils as unprecedented hailstorm has totally damaged the crops besides other damages.
The Government should immediately depute special teams comprising of departments of revenue, Agriculture, Horticulture and Sericulture etc. in order to have proper assessment of various kinds of crops damaged, as the department of revenue does not generally classify the kinds of crops while conducting Girdawri as a result the affected farmers do not get adequate relief. They said that Sunderbani and adjoining areas of Akhnoor are known for vast area under vegetable cultivation besides mulberry cultivation and other fruits, which has been totally damaged especially during the heavy rains and unprecedented hailstorm last night, which led to a thick snow like situation in this belt , unheard in the past so far.
They demanded special survey field survey for detailed assessment of the individual losses to the farmers and adequate relief compensation besides provision of free ration to the badly affected areas.The senior Congress leaders also brought the matter to the notice of the higher authorities in the administration and sought immediate steps in this regard. (KNS)