Compensate hail-storm hit fruit growers: Vakil

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 1: Peoples Conference senior vice president Abdul Gani Vakil today expressed concern over the damage caused to apple blossom, walnuts, pears and other standing crops due to heavy hail storm today  in upper belt of Rafiabad especially Kangroosa, Chatoosa, Hunaroo, Hachepora, Braman, Balhama, Pazalpora and Panzulla.
In a statement, Vakil demanded compherensive compensation to the orchardists and farmers who suffered heavy losses due to heavy hailstorm  on tuesday evening .
Vakil said that it is the third turn of heavy hailstorm which has completely destroyed and damaged standing crops of farmers including all kinds of vegetables,nodoubt the natural calamities cause damage to crops of farmers but it has been seen that govt has always been seen just a silent spectator, the worse affected people had always been assured compensation and even surveys were being conducted. But no relief reaches to the affected people till today.
Vakil urged the UT Govt to go for immediate assessment of damages to fruit and other crops and to disburse financial relief to the affected families without any delay as they have already suffered heavy loss in the past due to   heavy hailstorm
“Waiving of the KCC loan and implementation of crop insurance scheme (CIS)  is the need of the hour at this crucial juncture which can be helpful to a great extent in compensating fruit growers and farmers especially in reviving the fruit industry which is in shambles,” Vakil added.