SRINAGAR, May 10 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) senior leader and former minister Ghulam Hassan Mir on Sunday expressed serious concern over the losses caused to crops and orchards in North Kashmir and elsewhere in Kashmir due to incessant rains and hailstorm and urged the J&K UT administration to provide compensation to the affected growers.

 In a Statement issued here, Mir said that the hailstorm has caused huge damages to crops and orchards in various areas of Baramulla and Budgam districts including Kunzar, Tangmarag, Magam, Pattan Wagoora and Sonawari. “The respective district administrations should immediately order assessment of losses for providing adequate compensation to the affected growers,” Mir demanded.

 He said that amid the prevailing lockdown, the financial condition of fruit growers and farmers is already abysmal and most of the farmers and fruit growers are not in a position to purchases pesticides and fertilizers to prevent spread of crop diseases.

 “I appeal the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor G.C Murmu to ensure supply of pesticides and fertilizers to fruit Growers on subsidized rates so that they can at least save their produce from disease and mites and indemnify their source of livelihood,” the JKAP leader remarked.   

 He urged the LG led government for a comprehensive compensation to affected farmers, orchardists who suffered extensive damages due to heavy rains and hailstorm that caused havoc in North Kashmir districts and other areas of the valley. “The government should depute revenue teams to assess these damages immediately so that the orchardists and peasants are provided compensation well in time,” he said. (KNS)