SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday informed the Legislative Assembly that crop damage caused by a hailstorm in parts of Banakoot block of Bandipora district was assessed at less than 33 per cent and therefore does not qualify for input subsidy under State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms.
Replying to a Calling Attention Motion moved by MLA Bandipora Nizam-ud-Din Bhat, the Chief Minister, who also holds the Revenue portfolio, said a hailstorm accompanied by rainfall and gusty winds on September 6 caused localised damage to paddy, vegetable crops and fruit orchards in some areas of Banakoot.
He said a report submitted by the Chief Agriculture Officer, Bandipora, assessed the extent of crop loss in the affected areas at below 33 per cent.
According to the assessment, the damage included lodging and physical injury to paddy crops, minor losses to vegetables, and limited bruising, fruit drop and foliage damage in orchards.
The Chief Minister said the prescribed SDRF norms require crop damage to exceed 33 per cent for affected farmers to be eligible for input subsidy.
He added that Agriculture and Horticulture Department field functionaries are advising farmers on appropriate crop-management measures to minimise further losses.
