JAMMU, December 20: While appreciating governments in various states for waiving-off loans to farmers, CPI(M) leader, M Y Tarigami has demanded CPI(M) demands loan waiver in favour of farmers and orchardists of Kashmir too.
Similar demands were made in Jammu and Kashmir where small farmers and fruit growers suffered huge losses due to early snowfall on November 3, Tarigami said, adding, the early snowfall this season wreaked havoc on orchards in Kashmir, especially in southern districts causing huge losses to the growers.
“I had recently written to J&K Governor bringing into his notice this alarming situation. However, unfortunately the demand of loan-waiver in Kashmir has not been fulfilled. It is high time that one-time waiver of KCC loans be provided to small farmers and orchardists whose harvest was damaged by the snowfall,” said Tarigami in a statement issued today.
He said that horticulture is the backbone of State’s economy and the heavy snowfall has dealt a blow to it.
“Given the quantum of destruction caused and massive damage to fruit trees, the Government should provide compensation keeping in view the recurring losses to the farmers,” he said.
He said, there is also need for introduction and implementation of Crop Insurance Scheme (CIS) as it can save the fruit growers and agriculturists in the event of losses suffered due to natural calamities.
