Torrential rain coupled with hail and thunderstorms damaged between 35 and 50 per cent of the standing wheat crop in Rajouri district.The information was given by district agriculture officer Sadaqat Ali. He said the matter was taken up with the district administration and the higher authorities for compensation to the affected farmers.

The district agriculture officer added that the hailstorm and torrential rain in Rajouri city and its adjoining areas, Palam, Nagrota, Thudi and Dungi, had also damaged vegetables.

Meanwhile, farmers from Nowshera, Sunderbani, Darhal, Kotranka, Budhal, Kalakot and Manjakot tehsils have been holding protests, demanding compensation as their wheat crop has been damaged.

“Torrential rain and hailstorms in the second and third week of April have damaged our wheat crop. No official from the Agriculture and Revenue Departments have visited the affected areas to assess the losses,” said Abdul Qayoom, sarpanch of Kotranka.

Farmers from the Kotranka tehsil held a protest against the district administration and Agriculture Department officials at Kotranka yesterday, alleging that the casual approach of the officials concerned have forced them to hold protest.

“After torrential rain and flash floods in September last year, the state government had issued cheques of Rs 300 to the affected farmers, which was a cruel joke with them,” said Qayoom. This time the affected farmers have been demanding suitable compensation and free of cost ration for six months, he added.

After a protest by the farmers of Nowshera subdivision recently, the tehsildar concerned along with a team of revenue officials had conducted a tour of the area to make an on-the-spot assessment of the loss to the wheat crop and recommendation for suitable compensation.

Farmers have also warned of a large-scale protest if their demands were not met soon.

Source - http://www.tribuneindia.com/