CPI(M) seeks special package for J-K farmers

Srinagar, Jun 6 (PTI) CPI(M) in Jammu and Kashmir today demanded from the Centre a special package for rehabilitation of farmers and cattle owners who suffered extensive losses due to inclement weather conditions in the state. “I urge the state government to project the losses before Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to the state so that special financial assistance from the Centre could be assured for providing relief to the affected people,” state Secretary of CPI(M) M Y Tarigami said in a statement.

He appealed to the government to prepare a contingency plan to ensure timely relief to the affected and to minimise the losses. Tarigami said crop insurance scheme that was recently announced for the state be implemented during the monsoons and stressed for inclusion of horticulture sector under the scheme.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be on a two-day visit to Kashmir from tomorrow during which he is expected to renew the offer for talks with separatists and review the progress in the Round Table peace initiative and development work being undertaken in the state.

Almond, plum crop damaged in Himachal Pradesh after dry weather

Rampur (HP), Mar 28 (ANI): Farmers in Himachal Pradesh have complained of huge losses as 90 percent of their almond and plum crops have been damaged due to a drought like situation.

The Fruit Farmers’ Association said that they used to sell over 100,000 fruit boxes every year but this year due to the absence of rain, it was difficult.

“This year our almond and plum crops have been destroyed due to drought. We are finding it difficult to make both ends meet. We want the Government to provide us with some crop insurance scheme or find some other solution for us,” said Narender, Secretary of the association.

The farmers demanded that the Government buy their stocks at a reserve price.

” We want that the government should provide us with minimum support price for plum and almond just like minimum support price is provided for apple and lemon,” said Hemant Shelly, a farmer.

India’s annual monsoon rains is crucial for a farm dependent economy.

The four-month monsoon is the main source of water for most farmers in India. However untimely rains create situations such as these.

India is basically an agriculture economy and about 600 million of the billion-plus population depends on agriculture for a living. By Vipul Goel (ANI)