Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 22: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti today expressed serious concern over the extensive damage caused by recent hailstorms to orchards across Kashmir and criticized the Jammu and Kashmir government for failing to respond effectively.
During her visit to the affected areas in Bijbehara, Mufti said that the devastation had left farmers in tears and demanded that the government immediately dispatch assessment teams and provide compensation. “Horticulture is the backbone of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy. Even during the 1990s, when militancy was at its peak, it was horticulture that kept people afloat,” she said.
Mufti accused the National Conference (NC) government of apathy, saying it had failed to even send a team to evaluate the damage. “The farmers are crying. They have no support. They are under stress from loans, contaminated pesticides, and an insurance scheme that does not cover horticulture,” she said, adding that even the Kisan Yojana scheme excludes the region’s orchardists.
Criticizing the NC leadership, she said the administration was more concerned about personal luxuries than people’s problems. “They are busy worrying about delayed flights and wanting a state plane, while our farmers are suffering,” she said.
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