Introduce crops insurance scheme in J and K: CPI(M)

Srinagar, May 25 (UNI) The Communist Party of India (M) has urged the Jammu and Kashmir government to frame a comprehensive policy for farmers to cover all crops under crop insurance scheme.

Expressing serious concern over frequent damage to crops by hailstorm, flood and draught, state secretary of the CPI(M) Mohammad Yousuf Targami today said hailstorm in the valley for the last three weeks had caused extensive damage to fruit and other crops.

He said introduction of crop insurance scheme in the state was the need of the hour to save the farmers community from bankruptcy.

Leader of the CPI(M) in the Assembly Mr Targami said it had been observed in the last four to five years that farmers were loosing everything due to frequent natural calamities and ''it was our moral duty to seriously think about this.'' He also demanded adequate supply of fertilizers and fungicides in all the areas of the valley so that the farmers do not face any problem during the ongoing horticulture and agriculture season.

Fruit and other crops over thousands of acres of land had been damaged due to almost daily rains, strong winds and hailstorm in the evening during the past two weeks in the valley.

Meanwhile, he also demanded regularisation of services of Aganwari workers and those working under 'Asha' and other schemes in the state.

He said till their services were made permanent, their wages should be increased.

UNI BAS SP BST1443