Seeks compensation for hailstorm hit farmers;

JK News Today

Banihal; 26th May ; National Conference leader and district president Ramban on Friday expressed anguish over the losses to the farmers due to the heavy hailstorm that lashed swaths of peripheral areas of Banihal demanding immediate relief to the affected families.

Shaheen said that the heavy hailstorm that lashed the higher reaches of Banihal areas the other day has in particular affected various hamlets that include Mahoo, Mangit, Trigam, Kutji, Sarachi and some other villages the higher reaches of the district Ramban.

The unusual spell of rain accompanied by gusty winds and hailstorms lashed many parts of Banihal on Thursday evening causing widespread damage to orchards particularly maize and other crops.

The maize and vegetable growers bore the brunt of nature’s fury for the second time during the month after witnessing a similar devastation caused by nature’s fury a few weeks ago.
The severe weather conditions that lasted for hours played havoc with people farmer’s standing crops. I am given to know that the weather vagary has damaged the plants of vegetative parts, hence destroying the months of hard work of our farmers. In addition to it the hailstorm has significantly caused fatal trauma to people and cattle at various places. The heavy downpour has impacted orchids, shrubbery, electricity transmission lines at various other places as well,” he said.
Keeping in view the havoc, the severe weather played with the people’s crops and property, the district administration is expected to come to the rescue of those affected. “The district administration should immediately rush revenue teams to the affected hamlets of the District to access the losses incurred by people especially the farmers and horticulturalists so that a proper compensation is worked out at an earliest and distributed among affected forthwith,” he said demanding that the compensation to the affected farmers and horticulturalists be given on the basis of MSP.
Shaheen also impressed upon the district administration to ensure sourcing of fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, animal and poultry feed by the people associated with agriculture and its allied sectors.