SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday informed the Legislative Assembly that financial assistance will be provided to eligible farmers affected by the hailstorm that struck parts of Srigufwara and Bijbehara in Anantnag district during the night of September 18 and 19.
Replying on behalf of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to a Calling Attention Motion moved by MLA Dr Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary said a mechanism has been put in place to assess crop losses and extend relief under crop insurance and disaster relief provisions.
He said farmers enrolled under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) would receive compensation directly from insurance companies after verification of losses. Farmers not covered under the scheme may be compensated through the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), he added.
According to the Deputy Chief Minister, preliminary assessments indicate that 83.5 hectares of agricultural land belonging to 415 farmers have been affected by the hailstorm.
He said paddy crops in several areas suffered damage ranging from 70 to 95 per cent, with the worst impact reported from Trai-Sakhras and Hanumanpora.
In the horticulture sector, preliminary estimates suggest crop damage of 5 to 15 per cent in areas including Hafizabad, Arwani, Rakh Moman, Marhama, T.M. Shah, Semthan, Baliyar, Trail, Hanumanpora, Adlash and Chandpora.
Choudhary told the House that field agencies have been directed to complete detailed assessments and verification of losses so that eligible farmers receive relief in accordance with prescribed norms.
