80 pc of Jammu region drought hit: Survey

The Tribune , Monday, October 12, 2009
Correspondent : Tribune News Service
Jammu, October 11

Drought has hit up to 80 per cent of the area in all the 10 districts of Jammu province and the state government has initiated the process for giving compensation to the farmers under the National Calamity Fund.

Scanty and delayed rainfall coupled with lack of irrigation facilities has caused enormous damage to crops. A survey by Jammu and Kashmir Kisan Federation, released recently, has claimed that drought had engulfed 80 per cent of the area in the province.

“The survey is close to the real situation on the ground. A special ‘girdwari’ of damaged crops is on. We have initiated the National Calamity Fund to compensate the farmers,” said Divisional Commissioner Pawan Kotwal.

He said there was heavy damage to the maize crop and over 50 per cent of paddy crop had also been affected. “The worse-hit districts are Doda and Kishtwar, and the Kandi areas.”

The federation, a joint platform of several organisations of farmers, also submitted the detailed survey report to the government.

Hari Chand Jalmeria, convener of the federation, said a memorandum has been handed over to Additional Divisional Commissioner Jial Lal Jalmeria seeking the Prime Minister’s intervention in the matter.

“The mustard crop could not even be sown in most of the areas,” he said while quoting the survey. “Last year, Rabi crop was hit and now it is the Kharif crop that has borne the brunt. This means that two continuous seasons have brought losses to the farmers,” he added.

The federation also urged the CM Omar Abdullah to take up the matter of lack of irrigation facilities and climate change with the Prime Minister during his expected visit to the state next month.

They also urged the state government to initiate welfare schemes for the benefit of farmers and not be content with merely providing compensation to them. The farmers said the government should also provide them free seeds and fertilisers for the next season.

 
SOURCE : http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20091012/j&k.htm#12
 


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