Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 3: A large delegation of the All Jammu and Kashmir Kissan Union called on N. N. Vohra, Governor, at Raj Bhavan here today and presented to him a memorandum of their demands.
The demands presented by the 16-member delegation, led by Ashok Sharma, chairman of the Union, included, provision of a special package of Rs. 500 crore for drought hit farmers of Jammu region for the loss of their crops due to the drought in Rabi 2012; supply of free rations for 6 months and free seeds and fertilizers for Kharif 2013 to the affected farmers; issuance of Kissan Credit Cards and Land Pass Books to the farmers in the State and provision of free crop and cattle insurance.
Other demands highlighted by the delegation included provision of separate Agriculture Budget in the State and at the Centre, formulation of a comprehensive Farm Policy in J&K, establishment of Kissan Mandis and Kissan Bhawans at Block, District, Divisional and State levels, providing soft loans to the growers, bringing all small and marginal farmers under BPL category, strengthening local self Government by incorporating 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments in the State, settling of the issues of 1947, 1965, 1971 and West Pakistan refugees and providing relief to the migrants of Jammu region at par with the Kashmiri migrants.
After hearing the delegation, the Governor observed that their demands would be taken up with the Agriculture Minister and other concerned Ministers.
Meanwhile, a 13-member delegation of the All J&K National Youth Corps Volunteers also met Mr. Vohra.
The delegation, led by Asif Ali Bhati, State Vice President of the Association and Sayed Bakar Jafri, Joint Secretary, presented their demands to the Governor, which related mainly to the continuation of their services and their retention in the departments in which they are deployed and converting their monthly honoraria into salary.
Interacting with the delegation, the Governor observed that the issues raised by them would be taken up with the Minister for Youth Services and Sports.
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