Basmati growers demand compensation of Rs 10,000 per kanal

Excelsior Correspondent

Members of Basmati Rice Growers Association, RS Pura during a press conference at Jammu on Monday. —Excelsior/Rakesh
Members of Basmati Rice Growers Association, RS Pura during a press conference at Jammu on Monday.
—Excelsior/Rakesh

JAMMU, Oct 13: Alleging that the recent flash floods and wind storm have damaged the Basmati rice to the extent of 30% to 75%, Basmati Rice Growers Association, RS Pura, Jammu, has demanded a compensation of Rs 10,000 per kanal to the farmers, whose crops has totally damaged.
Addressing a press conference here at Press Club, Choudhary Dev Raj, president of the Association, said with in 2 km of the Zero line, the Basmati crop has totally been destroyed due to Pakistan firing and shelling and the farmers are not in a position to look after their crops as 75% tube wells are defunct while the Lift Irrigation Plant which is located at Sai Kalan (Suchetgarh) is also defunct for the last four months.
Therefore we appeal the Government to waive off all the charges of electricity whether residential, pump sets, tube-well and lift plant till the restoration of peace in the border area, he added.
He also demanded to waive off the loan provided already through Kissan Credit Card to the farmers under Crop Insurance Policy.
The Association president said due to recent flash floods about 4 to 6 feet sand floated on the Basmati crops in Pargwal, Marh, Suchetgarh, Arnia, Vijaypurand and Hiranagar blocks due to which farmers are facing problems in locating their land. He appealed the State Revenue Minister to issue necessary instructions to the revenue field staff to give afresh Nishan Dehi of their land as per Revenue records before the Kharif crops are sown.
He further demanded that a compensation of Rs 20 lakh be extended to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in ongoing firing and shelling by Pakistan and 10 lakh for injured persons besides free of cost treatment. He also demanded Rs 1 lakh for loss of cattle and 2 room-set houses for those, whose houses have been damaged in Pakistan firing.