Srinagar, April 23: Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference Senior Vice President and former minister Abdul Gani Vakil Friday expressed serious concern over the damage caused to fruit and other crops due to heavy rains and snow in upper belt areas in North Kashmir especially in the belt of Rafiabad. Vakil was addressing a workers meeting at Nowpore Rafiabad on Friday.

Vakil demanded comprehensive compensation to the orchardists and farmers who suffered heavy losses.

He alleged that whenever natural calamities cause damage to the fruit and other crops, the worse affected are assured compensation and even surveys are conducted but no relief reaches them.

The former minister urged the UT government to go for immediate assessment of damages to fruit and disburse financial relief to the affected families without any delay as they have already suffered heavy loss.