Excelsior Correspondent
NAGROTA, June 9: In view of losses caused to standing crops, orchards and livestock in Jammu region due to drought, excessive rains, floods, hailstorms and various diseases, Chairman, All J&K Kissan Union and former legislator, Ashok Sharma, today demanded a Relief Package of Rs 500 crore for the farmers.
Addressing a largely attended Dharna here at Block Dansal, organised by All J&K Kissan Union in support of the demands of agitating farmers, Sharma pleaded for formulating a comprehensive policy for the State, so that the losses caused to crops, orchards and livestock due to various natural calamities could be offset by providing them full compensation for such losses.
The former legislator stressed upon the Government to get insured the crops and livestock of the farmers on its own expenses.
“Besides, providing six months free ration and power supply, all the affected farmers of the region be given free seed, fertilizer and other agricultural inputs for the Kharief 2012”, Sharma demanded.
He also pleaded for strengthening of Local Self Government by incorporating 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments in J&K Constitution, and further urged the Government to issue Kissan Credit Card and Land Pass Books before November 2012.
The vice-chairman of the Union, Mohinder Singh Jamwal demanded to bring the small and marginal farmers under BPL category and reservation of seats for their children in various educational institutions.
Yash Paul Sharma, Dr YP Sharma and RN Khajuria, all general secretaries of the Union urged the Government to establish Kissan Mandies and Kissan Bhawans at block, district and division levels.
Earlier the Kissan Union had staged dharnas at Vijaypur, Bishnah, Samba, Kalakote, Ramgarh and Rajouri.
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