Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 14: Peoples Conference senior vice president and former Minister Abdul Gani Vakil today expressed serious concern over the damage caused to apple blossom and other standing crops due to heavy hailstorm in Rafiabad.
In a statement issued here, Vakil demanded comprehensive compensation to the orchardists and farmers who suffered heavy losses due to heavy hailstorm today.
In a statement issued, Vakil alleged that whenever natural calamities caused damage to the fruit and crops in the past also, the surveys were conducted but no relief reaches to the farmers.
Former Minister urged the UT Government to go for immediate assessment of damages to fruit and disburse financial relief to the affected families without any delay.
Vakil also demanded that the Crop Insurance Scheme (CIS) must be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir so that the scheme may save the fruit growers and agriculturists in the event of losses suffered due to natural calamities.
Waiving of the KCC loan is the need of the hour at this crucial juncture which can be helpful to a great extent in reviving the fruit industry which is in shambles, Vakil added.