Jammu, Oct 17: Apni Party Provincial President, Jammu and former minister S. Manjit Singh on Tuesday took stock of the losses suffered by the people, especially farmers, following the heavy downpour in Ramgarh and its adjoining areas.
The former minister accompanied by prominent people and farmers visited the flood-prone areas and reviewed the situation that has affected the normal life of the people following heavy rainfall from the last 24 hours.
The rainfall has triggered flash floods in low-lying areas and water logging in various other areas whereas the agricultural fields have suffered because the rice harvest has been damaged, he said.
“The farmers have suffered losses in lakhs after their basmati rice harvest was destroyed in the rainfall and windstorm,” he said after listening to the grievances of the farmers and villagers along the water bodies in Ramgarh.
He also referred to the construction of strong concrete bandh along the rivers and other water bodies to avoid any further damage to the property and agricultural fields.
As far as the damages to the basmati rice harvest in Jammu plains including Ramgarh is concerned, Singh said, “The authorities are yet to respond to the reports of damages to the basmati rice crop because the field survey appears to have not been conducted.”
“There is a need to conduct extensive field surveys to prepare compensation amounts that would be handed over to the farmers whose world-famous basmati rice harvest has been damaged,” he demanded.
The Apni Party leader also appealed to the LG government to direct the district administration in Jammu, Samba and Kathua to assess losses to the property and electricity poles due to the heavy rains in these districts.
“The rains caused damage in many places including a portion of a famous temple in the heart of Jammu City. The damages to the private property should be compensated under the natural calamity by the Govt,” he said.
He also demanded adequate rations and tents for the displaced families, if any, in the remote and hilly areas of the Jammu region.
