Chalk-out a concrete welfare policy for farmers, fruit growers: JKAP

Go for a one-time waiver of KCC loans: Shoaib Lone

Go for a one-time waiver of KCC loans: Shoaib Lone




Srinagar, June 3 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) leader and former legislator Shoaib Lone on Wednesday urged the J&K government to go for a one-time waiver of Kissan Credit Card (KCC) loans for farmers and fruit growers whose crops have been badly damaged by the incessant rains and hailstorm.

In a statement issued to KNS, Lone said the scale of relief announced under the state-specific special natural calamity funds for damaged orchards due to hailstorm and rains is quite inadequate given the quantum of destruction, the fruit growers and farmers have faced in almost all districts of Kashmir valley recently.

“The mainstay of Kashmir’s economy is horticulture and this vital sector is unfortunately in shambles. The need is to announce a one-time waiver of KCC loan to the farmers and fruit growers whose harvest has been badly hit by the incessant rains and hailstorm," he demanded.

Emphasizing the need for formation of district and divisional level committees to assess and redress issues of farmers and fruit growers, Lone appealed to Lieutenant Governor G.C Murmu to ask the administration for framing a comprehensive policy in this regard.

“The government should chalk-out a concrete policy that will cater to the welfare of the farmers and fruit growers in the State and a fair representation should be given to the farming community and fruit growers in the government committees framed in this regard,” Lone advocated.

The JKAP leader observed Kashmir valley being more vulnerable to natural calamities is in dire need of crop insurance scheme to provide respite to the affected farmers and fruit growers, who suffer huge losses almost annually due to weather vagaries.

“Considering the importance of agriculture and horticulture sectors in J&K’s economy, the government should also facilitate hassle free availability of subsidized fertilizers, weedicides, fungicides and pesticides to the farmers and fruit growers at a time when there is a manifold rise in prices of all inputs that has further led them to enter a new debt cycle,” he remarked.

Lone urged the J&K government to go for creation of calamity funds to assist farmers and fruit growers affected by crop losses due to inclement weather and other factors annually. He said that the farming community across the state has been undergoing adverse hardships in absence of entitled concessions overdue to them.

“Farming community being the backbone of our socio-economic interests has been hit hard by the government policies where nothing substantial has been earmarked for people associated directly or indirectly with this important sector. The government must now accord a positive consideration to their welfare and come up with requisite budgetary support for the same,” he added.(KNS)
 

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