Srinagar, April 23 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference Senior Vice President and former minister Abdul Gani Vakil today expressed serious concern over the damage caused to fruit and other crops due to heavy rains and snow in upper belt areas in North Kashmir especially in the belt of Rafiabad. Mr Vakil was addressing today workers meeting at Nowpore Rafiabad during which Vakil demanded comprehensive compensation to the orchardists and farmers who suffered heavy losses.

As per the statement issued to KNS, Vakil alleged that whenever natural calamities cause damage to the fruit and other crops, the worse affected are assured compensation and even surveys are conducted but no relief reaches to them.

The former minister urged the UT government to go for immediate assessment of damages to fruit and disburse financial relief to the affected families without any delay as they have already suffered heavy loss.

Meanwhile, Vakil hit out at the ruling dispensation for turning Kashmir valley into a blackout during Sehri and Iftaar times in this holy month.

"Where is electricity. The Muslims of this region are in the holy month of Ramadan and this ruling dispensation has made the life of people miserable by frequent power outages. What kind of administration is this which is not providing electricity to people when they need it to perform their religious practices," he said.(KNS)