Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 27: A delegation of representatives of various farmer associations led by Daljit Chib (former vice chairman of Kissan Board) met Farooq Khan, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, and demanded maximum compensation for farmers for their crops damaged due to heavy rain and hailstorm, besides waiver for KCC loans.
Daljit Chib apprised the Advisor that around 55000 hectare of paddy crop has been damaged, thereby affecting around 1.80 lakh farmers. He told Advisor that the cultivation cost of paddy today is around 2800 rupees per kanal. He further informed Khan that vegetable crops including cabbage, potato etc along with maize in some pockets have also been damaged due to heavy rain and hailstorm.
He demanded special package for compensation of losses as the maximum farmers are not covered under crop insurance. He emphasized that compensation should be given on the lines of Punjab and Delhi Government for the farmers. He further demanded that all the KCC loans of farmers be waived off and 100% subsidy be given on seeds of next crop.
Farooq Khan pertinently listened to the deputation members and assured best possible support from the Government to the farmers. He assured that all their genuine demands will be taken seriously and necessary steps will be taken to address them.
Those who were part of the delegation include Kulbhushan Khajuria (president, J&K Agri Entrepreneurship Development Association), Shiv Dev Singh (president, Rashtriya Kissan Sangathan), Kishore Kumar (president, Tehreek Ae Kissan J&K), Basant Saini (president, Potato Grower Association J&K), Raghunandan Khajuria (president, Bhartiya Krishak Samaj), Vijay Choudhary (vice president, Basmati Grower Association) and PN Padha (president, Vegetable Growers Association).