JAMMU, Oct 10: Senior BJP leader and former Sarpanch Adv Devraj Sharma has expressed serious concern over the extensive damage caused to standing crops by recent rains and hailstorms across several agricultural belts of the Jammu region, demanding immediate government intervention, a comprehensive assessment of losses and timely, adequate compensation for affected farmers.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Sharma called for an extensive assessment of crop damage in RS Pura, Bishnah, Marh, Vijaypur, Samba, Kathua, Akhnoor and other affected agricultural areas, stressing that the distress of farmers must be addressed through concrete action rather than assurances.
Sharma, who visited rain and hailstorm-affected areas of Tehsil RS Pura today, interacted with farmers and observed the damage to agricultural fields. He expressed concern that the destruction of standing crops had jeopardised the hard work, investment and anticipated income of farming families, many of whom depend heavily on seasonal agricultural returns to sustain their livelihoods.He said that the impact of adverse weather conditions extended beyond individual fields, threatening the economic security of farming households and affecting agricultural labourers and others whose livelihoods depend on the rural economy.
Sharma said that the reported damage in the Jammu region had raised serious concerns among cultivators, particularly in areas where agriculture remains a principal source of livelihood. Farmers invest substantial resources in seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, irrigation, machinery and labour, often with limited financial reserves to absorb sudden losses.He observed that when unseasonal rainfall and hailstorms damage standing crops, farmers face the dual burden of losing their expected produce and having to arrange resources for the next cropping cycle.
The situation, he said, requires a coordinated response from the district administrations, Revenue Department and Agriculture Department to establish the actual extent of damage and ensure that affected cultivators receive assistance under applicable relief provisions.Sharma urged the authorities to extend the assessment beyond individual pockets and cover all affected villages across RS Pura, Bishnah, Marh, Vijaypur, Samba, Kathua, Akhnoor and other impacted areas of the Jammu region. He stressed that geographical boundaries or administrative jurisdictions must not become obstacles to identifying genuine cases of crop loss.
Demanding immediate administrative action, Sharma called for a comprehensive special girdawari of all rain and hailstorm-affected agricultural fields to assess crop damage accurately and establish the eligibility of farmers for compensation.He said revenue officials, agricultural experts and field staff should undertake joint inspections and document losses through crop-wise, village-wise and field-wise assessments. The exercise, he emphasised, must be transparent, impartial and sufficiently detailed to ensure that no affected farmer is overlooked.
He also called for an effective mechanism through which farmers could report damage, submit relevant details and seek corrections if their losses were inadequately recorded.Sharma stressed that the assessment must reflect the actual ground situation rather than rely on superficial inspections or generalised estimates. He said that the administration should communicate the findings and applicable relief procedures clearly to affected farming communities.
Sharma strongly urged the Jammu and Kashmir Administration to ensure that eligible farmers receive timely and meaningful compensation in accordance with applicable government norms.He said that relief delayed was relief denied to farmers who must continue meeting household expenses, managing outstanding agricultural costs and preparing for the next cultivation season despite suffering substantial losses.He further called upon the authorities to examine the availability of assistance under applicable crop insurance schemes and disaster-relief provisions, wherever eligible, so that affected farmers could access all benefits available to them under the relevant rules.
“Farmers across the Jammu region are facing serious uncertainty following rain and hailstorm damage to their standing crops. Their losses must be assessed honestly, comprehensively and without delay. The government must ensure that every eligible affected farmer receives the compensation admissible under the rules within a reasonable and clearly defined timeframe,” Sharma said.He emphasised that meaningful relief must be based on verified losses and delivered through a transparent process, enabling farmers to recover from the immediate economic shock and resume agricultural activities.
Underscoring the importance of agriculture to the Jammu region’s economy, Sharma said that crop losses have consequences extending far beyond the boundaries of agricultural fields.He pointed out that farmers’ incomes support rural markets, agricultural labourers, transport operators, input suppliers and numerous small businesses connected with cultivation and the movement of agricultural produce.When crops are damaged, the resulting financial pressure can affect farmers’ ability to purchase inputs, repay loans, meet family expenses and invest in future agricultural production. Such circumstances make prompt relief and effective administrative support particularly important.
Sharma urged the authorities to adopt a farmer-centric approach and ensure close coordination between revenue officials, agricultural experts and district-level officers. He also called for an accessible grievance-redressal mechanism to address complaints relating to crop-loss assessments, eligibility and delays in compensation.Sharma appealed to the Lieutenant Governor-led administration and the concerned district authorities to treat the matter with urgency and prioritise the interests of affected farming families.
Sharma stressed that the immediate response should focus on comprehensive damage assessment, identification of eligible beneficiaries, prompt processing of compensation claims and appropriate agricultural guidance for farmers whose crops have been damaged.He also emphasised the need to strengthen agricultural preparedness against extreme weather events through timely weather advisories, improved communication with farming communities and better coordination among the departments responsible for agriculture and disaster management.
Concluding his appeal, Sharma reiterated that farmers should not be left to face the consequences of natural calamities without timely institutional support.He urged the administration to initiate the necessary assessment and relief measures across all affected agricultural belts of the Jammu region, ensuring that genuine cases receive fair consideration and eligible farmers are not forced to endure prolonged uncertainty.
“The farming community needs immediate relief, transparent assessment and a firm commitment from the administration. Protecting farmers from the economic consequences of crop damage is essential not only for their families but also for the stability of the rural economy. Every affected area must be covered, every genuine loss must be assessed fairly, and every eligible farmer must receive the assistance due under the rules,” Sharma added.