Rafiabad May 10:(KNS)  Peoples Conference Senior Vice President and former minister  Abdul Gani Vakil  expressed concern over the damage caused to apple blossom and other crops due to heavy windstorm and hail storm in north Kashmir areas especially Rafiabad and Zainageer on Monday. Vakil visited several villages  of these areas including Lorihama, Binner, Hathlangoo and Bomai
Vakil demanded comprehensive compensation to the orchardists and farmers who suffered heavy losses due to heavy hailstorm and windstorm on Monday. He said that whenever natural calamities cause damage to the fruit and crops, the worse affected are assured compensation and even surveys are being conducted. "But no relief reaches to the affected farmers," he said
Vakil urged the LG Administration to go for immediate assessment of damages and disburse financial relief to the affected families without any delay
Vakil also expressed his grave concern over neglect of fruit industry in Kashmir valley. Vakil said lacs of people are solely dependent on fruit industry for their livelihood but uncared attitude of LG Administration has left many people high and dry. “It becomes an obligation for the LG Admin. to come to the support and succor of the fruit  industry as they form the backbone of our economy and have always been suffering on account of natural calamities, lockdowns, strikes, weather vagaries and fluid political situation in the Valley,” Vakil said and reiterated his demand of waiving of KCC loans of fruit growers.
Vakil also urged the Union Government to come up with a comprehensive package policy for the revival of fruit industry as it has been assured many times by the Government.
Vakil was accompanied Sr. PC leaders Mohammad Muzzafar Naikoo, Noor MohammD Shagoo, Mohammad Sidiq Lone and several others.(KNS)