Budgam, Jun 22 (KNS): Chairman PDF Hakeem Yaseen has expressed sorrow over the massive damage caused to horticulture industry in the state due to hailstorm yesterday

He has enjoined upon the Governor administration to provide ex gratia relief to affected farmers whose crop has got severely damaged.

In a statement issued to KNS, Hakeem Yaseen said that hailstorm has wrecked havoc to standing crops and horticulture produce causing colossal losses to the farming community in Pulwama, Shopian, Baramulla and Budget districts.

He has asked the Governor administration to provide adequate ex gratia relief to the affected farmers and fruit traders after assessing quantum of damage caused due to the unprecedented hailstorm and windstorm last evening.

He said that strong windstorm and hailstorm last evening destroyed standing crops in Pulwama, Shopian, Budgam, Chrar-e-Shareef and Rafiabad affecting livelihood of thousands of farmers and fruit traders. He has demanded adequate compensation to the hailstorm victim families under natural calamity relief. (KNS)