Srinagar, May 23: After failing to provide timely relief to windstorm victims, the J&K Government has "forgotten" to conduct assessment of damage caused due to a recent hailstorm in Kashmir that wreaked havoc to apple trees and paddy early this month.
 Locals from Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Budgam and Shopian districts, who spoke to Greater Kashmir, said their apple trees, paddy canals, walnuts and Khareef crops sustained "extensive damage" due to the hailstorm on May 1. "Even after witnessing such extensive damage, not a single official from government visited us, leave aside carrying out the assessment of damages," said Abdul Rashid of Janbazpora Baramulla.
 The hailstorm not only damaged paddy canals and apple tress in North Kashmir but Khareef crops and apples also sustained damage in South and Central Kashmir.
 In frontier Kupwara district, villages like Diver, Chandigam, Dorsa, Sogam, Khrihama, Warnow, Kuligam, Cheepora, Kalaroos, Hiaham, Halmatpora, Manigah, Batpora, Trumbnaad, and Shatpora were worst hit.
 Residents of Kupwara said walnut produce and paddy suffered maximum damage. "The walnut producing areas of Hayhama, Lolab and Kupwara suffered great damage," they said. "It is sad that no government official visited these areas to assess the damage."
 Upper and lower reaches in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district were also damaged in the hailstorm.  These include Athwatoo, Weaven, Chandaji and Kepson.
 Hailstorm victims of south Kashmir’s Shopian district said they were expecting help from the Omar Abdullah-led government. "We were hopeful to see the government acting on the issue. But we are highly disappointed," said M Shafi Rather, a farmer.
 When contacted, the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon said that "assessment of the damage caused by hailstorm has not been conducted yet. Since we have new deputy development commissioners in place in many districts, I have instructed them to carry out the assessment soon."
 "In the case of relief to windstorm victims, I have sent a requisition of Rs 10 crore to Revenue Ministry but it is yet to release the funds," Samoon said.
 The Minster for Revenue Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla said the assessment of hailstorm damage is on. "It will take some time," he said. "We have to assess whole of J&K and it is not a day’s or week’s work."

Lastupdate on : Wed, 23 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 23 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 24 May 2012 00:00:00 IST