Weather-based crop insurance scheme by October: J&K Minister

By: Waris Fayaz

Srinagar: Cabinet Minister Javed Dar on Wednesday said the current administration has been in place for six months, and is committed to implementing decisions promptly and effectively.

Addressing concerns over the recent hailstorm that caused damage to crops, the agriculture minister said those affected are being compensated under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).

He announced that the departments of horticulture and agriculture are now planning to roll out a weather-based crop insurance scheme.

“Unfortunately, there were fewer bidders when this scheme was conceptualised 2–3 years ago. But now we are actively working on it, and by September or October, it will be implemented on the ground,” Dar said.

“Whatever happened earlier is not our responsibility. Now that we are in charge, our focus is on execution,” the minister said while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a review meeting for Muharram arrangements in Pattan.

Responding to a query on the status of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), Dar said funds have been made available, with only 20 per cent pending. “This is being actively taken up with the Government of India, and the matter will be resolved in the coming days,” he added.

Regarding the water crisis in several drought-hit areas, the minister said the government is taking a two-fold approach. “Where there’s no source, we are planning community borewells, and where a water source exists, it will be efficiently tapped,” he said.

Minister Dar called for the modernisation of ageing pump stations, some of which are over 20–25 years old and operating below efficiency. “We are preparing new Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) to address this issue and mitigate the water scarcity crisis,” he assured. —(KNO)