Srinagar: A delegation of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry lead by it’s President Sheikh Ashiq Ahmad on Sunday, visited Kulgam, Pulwama, and Shopian for interacting with stakeholders who have suffered losses due to last week’s snowfall and on-spot assessment of the damage.
The spokesman said that in line with its policy of reaching out to the vulnerable and agonized stakeholders belonging to the business community, the Kashmir Chamber has decided to initiate interaction throughout the length and breadth of the State to assess the quantum of damage and to find ways and means of compensation of these losses.
The delegation met representatives of various Fruit Associations and visited Fruit Mandi’s, Orchards and interacted with traders and farmers. On behalf of the Kashmir Chamber, Sheikh Ashiq Ahmad assured the stakeholders that the KCC&I would not rest till all possible support in the shape of relief, compensation and technical guidance is provided to the affected farmers to bring them out of the present catastrophe.
The delegation appreciated the prompt declaration of the snowfall as a “Special Natural Calamity” by the Governor’s administration and hoped that the assessment of losses would be finalized at the earliest.
The president regretted that the implementation of the Crop Insurance Scheme in Kashmir was delayed due to various reasons and the cost of this delay was, unfortunately, to be borne by our farmers. He stated that farmers all over the country were being provided protective cover of the Crop Insurance Scheme launched in February 2016 and only our farmers stood deprived.
Various suggestions were put forth by the stakeholders and it was decided that the KCC&I would be organizing a meeting in this regard with all stakeholders for finalization of points to be taken up with the State and Financial Institutions. The status of farm loans taken under the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) was also discussed and its waiver would be taken up with the concerned authorities.
Sheikh Ashiq Ahmed thanked the stakeholders for reposing their trust in the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry and assured them that all resources at the command of KCC&I would be utilized for mitigating their sufferings.
