Provide compensation to hail-storm hit farmers: Rana to Govt

'40 to 80 percent crops have been damaged in various areas'

'40 to 80 percent crops have been damaged in various areas'

Nagrota, Mar 17 (KNS): National Conference Provincial President Devender Singh Rana on Saturday sought compensation for the farmers, whose standing crops were damaged due to recent hail-storm across Nagrota Assembly Constituency.
“According to preliminary reports 40 to 80 percent crops have been damaged in various areas”, Rana said during his extensive tour of the hail-storm hit areas in Marh this afternoon, adding that the actual damages can be ascertained only after thorough survey is carried out in the affected areas.
Rana interacted with the sufferers and was given first-hand account of the damages, which ranged from 40 per cent in Dung and Bamyal, 50 per cent in Marh and 80 per cent in Gambhir.
The MLA Nagrota sought deputation of an empowered team of revenue and agriculture officers to carry out the survey at ground zero. He said the recent hailstorm has been unprecedented in terms of timing and intensity.
Rana, accompanied by the officers of Agriculture Department, said the hard toil of farmers stand ruined and they have nothing to look for, except assistance from the government. Till the time damages are worked out, interim relief and free rations for minimum three months is needed to be provided to affected farmers, he said, hoping that the government will rise to the occasion and come to rescue of farming community.
The MLA Nagrota said that such of the farmers, whose crops are not insured, need to be compensated fully. However, interim relief should be provided to all, he said, adding that the affected farmers should also be provided inputs for the next cropping season liberally.
The Provincial President called for an institutional mechanism so that the extent of damages due to natural calamities can be assessed in routine, without farmers feeling compelled to agitate. This is the least the government can do for the farming community and incentivizing agriculture that is backbone of rural economy.
Expressing solidarity with the farmers, the MLA Nagrota said he will knock every door to seek justice for them in terms of compensation and other assistance, as they have almost lost their source of sustenance.
Rana lamented that the PDP-BJP government has failed in releasing compensation, be it damages caused due to flash floods or incessant rains for the past several years. He said despite assurances and pleading at every level, the government is yet to take the call and release the compensation. He said hollow promises have started boomeranging, as the affected people have lost faith in the dispensation that has left them in lurch all along. He said there is resentment among farmers because they have been ignored by the government seems to have no interest in resolving their problems.
Rana, however, reminded the government of its obligations towards the people and urged to come forward with a package to help the distressed farmers in all possible ways. (KNS) 

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