SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday informed the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly that a detailed assessment of crop damage caused by a severe hailstorm in parts of Gulmarg constituency is underway and relief will be provided as per the prescribed norms.
Replying to a Calling Attention Motion moved by Gulmarg MLA Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah during the Autumn Session, Omar, who also holds the Revenue portfolio, said the hailstorm occurred around 11:45 pm on September 11-12 and affected several villages in Kunzer and Tangmarg tehsils.
The hailstorm damaged agricultural and horticultural crops, including apple orchards, maize and paddy.
The Chief Minister said teams from the Revenue, Agriculture and Horticulture departments have been deputed to the affected villages for on-the-spot assessment and verification of the damage in accordance with prescribed norms and guidelines.
He said the teams have been directed to submit detailed reports at the earliest, following which the village-wise and crop-wise extent of damage would be consolidated and intimated.
On compensation, Omar said no relief or compensation had been sanctioned or released so far as the assessment and verification process was still underway.
“Sanction and release of compensation, along with details of the amount and number of beneficiaries, will follow strictly as per the prescribed relief norms,” he said.
He added that no case had been finalised so far and details regarding the number of cases assessed, approved, paid and pending would be reported after the field reports are received and consolidated.
On any special relief or assistance for affected farmers and horticulturists, the Chief Minister said no such proposal was presently under consideration as the assessment of losses was still in progress.
