Srinagar, May 27 (KNS): The government Friday admitted that it has paid no compensation to orchadists and fruit growers who lost their crop due to water logging in September floods in 2014.
“No compensation has been paid to the orchadists/fruit growers except Rs 10.80 lakhs in Ramban district,” Minister for Horticulture, Ghulam Nabi Hanjura said said in the ongoing Budget Session of the Assembly in a written reply to a question by MLA Kulgam M Y Tarigami.
The minister also said that ex-gratia relief to an extent of 50% (Rs. 784 crore) has been projected to the government of India by the state government for crop loss due to 2014 floods.
“Crop loss estimated by the revenue department in horticulture sector due to incessant rains and floods of September 2014 in the state was of the order of Rs. 1568.00 Crore and ex-gratia relief to the extent of 50% (Rs. 784.00 Crore) has been projected to the government of India by the state government,” Hanjura said.
The government admitted that the state has in-adequate cold storage facilities for storing apple.
“It is fact that state has in-adequate cold storage facilities. At present the Cold Storage facilities account for 0.63 LMTs under private sector against the total requirement of 3.83 LMTs,” the minister said.
“The department is exploring the possibility for establishment of Cold Stores under PPP mode in 04 Terminal Fruit and vegetable markets and 02 Satellite Markets in 1st phase viz Parimpora Srinagar, Sopore, Narwal Jammu, Jablipora (Anantnag), Kulgam and Shopian.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelBy providing such facilities the fruit can be retained for 03 to 04 months and will restrict its export in one go,” he said.
He said that at later stage fruit can be dispatched to the different mandis of the country as per the demand enabling the growers to realize best remunerative prices. “In order to add additional capacity Private Entrepreneurs are being provided assistance/credit linked subsidy for establishment of CA stores under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).”
“Further under NABARD multipurpose commodity cold store at Kolkata is being constructed at a cost of Rs.4.63 Crore.”
Admitting that KCC loan has not been waived off for the farmers, the government said that waving off 50% KCC loan “is under consideration”.
Asked about the crop insurance scheme, the minister said that in order to make crop insurance simpler and cheaper for the farmers and to provide them with better insurance services, a Central Sector Scheme of Pradhan MantriFasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) has been approved by the government.
“Accordingly, Rs.75.00 crore Central Component and (Rs. 25.00 crores under state share) has been proposed on account of premium for implementation of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) during 2016-17,” the minister said. (KNS)