Tarigami demands KCC loan waiver to affected farmers

Kulgam, Sep 03: CPI (M) leader Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami Tuesday visited the fierce wind and hailstorm-affected areas in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district and demanded the Kissan Credit Card (KCC) loan waiver to the affected farmers.

A statement of CPI (M) issued here today said that visiting Muhammadpora, Nillow, Arreh, Pombay, Kakran, Mirhama, and other adjoining villages of Kulgam, he consoled the affected growers and orchardists, whose fruit and crops have extensively been damaged due to gusty winds and hailstorm.

“The situation in the area is extremely terrible and devastating as the ripe fruit ready for harvesting stands damaged and in some areas, fruit trees have got uprooted,” Tarigami said.

He said that proper assessment should be done and adequate compensation be provided to the affected farmers.

“The routine funds for affected farmers will not render any assistance as the damages are huge due to unprecedented natural calamity this time,” Tarigami said.

He also urged the administration to waive off the KCC loans of the affected orchardists.

“We had time and again stressed the implementation of the Crop Insurance Scheme in the horticulture sector but, unfortunately, that has not been implemented so far,” Tarigami said. “Non-implementation of the Crop Insurance Scheme has caused distress among the orchardists and farmers.”

He said that the scheme would provide succour to the orchardists and mitigate financial losses suffered by farmers due to crop failures caused by natural calamities.