Dhumal concerned over drought conditions in HP

Shimla, Feb 5 (UNI) Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister PK Dhumal today expressed concern over the prevailing drought conditions in the state, saying adequate compensation should be provided to the farmers and horticulturists for damage to their crops during the period.

''A joint team of Revenue and Agriculture officials should assess the damage to the crops due to the prevailing drought conditions in the state after a special survey,'' he said in a release here.

Mr Dhumal said severe drought and coldwave have extensively damaged Mango, Lemon, Wheat Gram, Sarson and Toria crops in the lower areas and Apple in the upper areas of the state besides damaging vegetables in various parts of the state.

The farmers in the lowers areas of the state were the worst hit as not only were their traditional crops extensively damaged but saplings of various fruits were lost completely due to severe cold and enabling drought, he said.

Accusing the state government of failing to provide adequate compensation to the farmers whose crops had been damaged due to drought last year, he said it was only following the motions instead of doing anything concreate.

Virbhadra Singh Government's seriousness to tackle the drought could be gauged from the fact that last year the Centre's team to assess the crop loss in Himachal due to drought visited the state during the monsoon season, he added.

Besides, reports compiled and submitted to the Centre by state's Revenue and Agriculture department complicated the issue with one claiming 45 per cent loss to the crops while another claimed 90 per cent loss following which the state was denied any compensation after the Centre rejected state government's report, he said.

Similarly, another Central team that visited the state in December to assess loss to crops due to flash floods failed to provide any compensation due to the state government's failure to put things in a perspective, he said.

Mr Dhumal demanded, besides providing adequate compensation to the farmers, the state government should seek liberal aid from the Centre to tide over the prevailing drought conditions in the state.

UNI