RK News Service
Srinagar, 13 May: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Provincial President Kashmir Showkat Mir Wednesday urged the government to immediately reach out to the hailstorm-affected farmers and orchardists in Baramulla and Budgam districts and provide them adequate compensation for the extensive damage caused to orchards and other standing crops.
Expressing deep concern over the losses suffered by the farming community due to the recent hailstorm, Mir said that thousands of orchardists and growers have incurred heavy damage at a time when they were expecting a good harvest season. He said the weather calamity has badly impacted apple orchards, vegetable fields, and other crops, pushing the affected families into distress.
He emphasized that agriculture and horticulture form the backbone of Kashmir’s economy and any damage to these sectors directly affects the livelihood of lakhs of families dependent on them.
Mir urged the administration to immediately conduct a comprehensive assessment of the losses in all affected areas of Baramulla and Budgam districts and ensure that adequate compensation and relief are provided to the affected growers without delay.
He also appealed to the government to activate disaster relief mechanisms on priority basis and extend every possible assistance to the affected families so that they are able to recover from the losses suffered due to the natural calamity.