Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 11: Minister of State for Agriculture Nazir Ahmad Gurezi replying to a calling attention notice of B. R. Kundal said that R. S. Pura tehsil of Jammu district was lashed by heavy hailstorm on February 27, 2013 which caused heavy losses to standing crops of wheat, oilseeds, fodder and vegetables.
The assessment of losses was made by the concerned field staff of Agriculture Department immediately and based on the preliminary assessments, the village wise losses reported in an area of about 1870 hectors.
The Minister said that the losses to the extent of more than 50 per cent have been assessed in about 200 hectors, where vegetables and fodder crops are mainly affected. In the remaining area, the damage to crops has been of varying degrees in different villages ranging from 15 per cent to 45 per cent and a detailed survey is under progress.
Mr. Gurezi further said that no perennial fruit crop has been reported damaged in R. S. Pura, Jammu due to hailstorm, as there is no perennial fruit crop in R. S. Pura zone. However, he said as per reports, an area of 6 kanals of strawberry was damaged. The assessment by the Agriculture Production Department is being communicated to Revenue Department for verification and further necessary action. He said as per State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) rules, if damage is more than 50 percent, the relief will be provided.
Follow our WhatsApp channel