Sir,
Jammu farmer is in great distress these days. They have lost all hopes of revival of their agriculture profession. Both Rabi and Kharif crops have failed. They have extensively been damaged by untimely and heavy rains over the last two months. It rained continuously during the paddy harvesting season. It rained heavily during wheat sowing in Jammu region and continued till Sunday last. These unexpected rains caused extensive damage to the agriculture production. Two main crops, seasonal vegetables, fruits, dairy and poultry; none has been spared by the rains and drop in temperature. Paddy is rotting in the fields. Basmati Rice, the only cash crop of Jammu is totally damaged causing great financial loss to the farmers. Wheat, the main crop of rest of Jammu, particularly of Kandi and Pahari areas, has not been sown yet. Every farmer in Jammu is affected.
So much hue and cry is being raised by the farmers, political parties and social organisations as we read in the papers daily but there is no response from the govt. It means that Jammu continues to be discriminated. Govt apathy towards the Jammu farmers is regrettable. The mango and citrus fruit crops were also damaged to the extent of 75 percent in Jammu region due to untimely rains. Govt had assured assessment and compensation. But nothing was done.
Today farmers are disillusioned. They are approaching politicians to bring out their losses to the notice of bureaucracy. But the bureaucracy is just not bothered. Farmers have lost all hopes because the political system is defunct in the UT dispensation. To restore the confidence of the farmers, who are the backbone of the UT economy, Govt is expected to direct the revenue and agriculture departments to access the damages and pay compensation. It is appealed to Lt. Governor to constitute a ‘Jammu Agriculture Commission’ for the promotion of agriculture economy in Jammu. Commission should also redress farmers’ problems on regular basis as is the practice in Kashmir. Unless a Kisan friendly policy is made by the Govt, the farmers will continue suffering.
Th. K P Singh
Chairman
DSS Kissan Cell
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