Introduce crops insurance in J and K, members of government

Srinagar, Aug 30 (UNI) Cutting across party lines, members in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly today demanded introduction of crop insurance in the state.

Raising the issue through a calling attention notice, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member Abdul Rehman Veeri said, ''90 per cent crops and fruits have been damaged in recent hailstorm in south Kashmir.'' ''Nominal increase of C-grade fruits under Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) was not enough to help the farmer who suffered the losses due the natural calamity,'' Mr Veeri added.

Minister for horticulture and tourism Mohammad Dilawar Mir said, ''the cabinet has approved that in areas where more than 75 per cent damage has been caused due to hailstorm, the procurement of fruits under MIS shall be at the enhanced rate of Rs six per kg against Rs five in other areas.'' Mr Mir had visited the affected villages alongwith a member to assess the damage caused to the fruit and other crops.

According to him, compensation to farmers under Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) was not possible for farmers who suffered the damage.

However, he claimed, government is providing the farmers with pesticides, fertilizers and other seeds to compensate them.

''Crops over 27,504 kanals of land has been damaged in 16 villages of south Kashmir district of Anantnag affecting 4003 families,'' the minister said.

Mr Veeri, supported by the leader of the Communist Party of India (M) in the House, Mohammad Yousuf Targami and other members demanded introduction of crops insurance scheme in the state as was applicable in other states of the country.

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