SRINAGAR: Rajya Sabha member and senior National Conference leader, Ghulam Nabi Ratanpuri, Thursday said more than 8-0 percent of almond trees in Kashmir have been damaged due to recent snow.
Mr Ratanpuri said the situation after snowfall was avoidable but the government failed to deliver. “Government did not meet the expectations of the people while the fact is that MeT had already made predictions about heavy snowfall,” he said.
Accusing Peoples Democratic Party of playing politics, he said that he visited scores of areas in south Kashmir from where snow was cleared from all the roads.
Appealing the government to pay ex-gratia relief to the farmers who have incurred heavy losses due to heavy snowfall, Ratanpuri said the government should seek permission from Election Commission and he certainly will allow the government to distribute relief despite Model Code of Conduct in vogue.
“I visited different areas of Pulwama district including Nownagri, Palapora, Chakoora, Newa, Chandgam, Wagargund, Wahipora, Wanpora, Parigam and Zadoora etc and I observed that 80 per cent almond trees have been damaged,” he said adding that in Rajpora and Shopian and upper reaches of Pulwama, snow furry has devastated orchards and almond trees completely.
“I appeal to the Rural Development Minister Ali Muhammad Sagar to permit DC Pulwama and Shopian to distribute relief amoung the sufferers under Indira Awas Yojna and Rajiv Awas Yojna. If Model Code of Conduct has restricted the movement of Ministers then I appeal Ali Muhammad Sagar to seek permission from Election Commission,” he said adding that those people should also be befriended whose residential house have been damaged due to snowfall.