Sakeena Itoo tours hailstorm affected villages of Kulgam

• Inaugurates healthcare facilities at PHC Nehama, distributes Dignity Kits  among adolescent girls

KULGAM: Minister for Social Welfare, Education, Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, today conducted an extensive tour of villages of Kulgam to assess the damage caused to orchards due to adverse weather conditions during the current season. The Minister visited several affected villages including Harvaith, Nihama, Samnoo, Gopalpora, Lakhdipora, Tengam, Bathipora and Chogalpora.

She was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, Shahzad Alam, SDM Noorabad Bashir ul Hassan, Tehsildar D.H. Pora Zahid Ahmad, Chief Horticulture Officer Kulgam Mohd. Ramzan War and other officers of the Horticulture Department besides other officers and officials of the district administration.

During the visit, Sakeena Itoo interacted with the fruit growers, inspected the orchards and had detailed feedback regarding the losses suffered by the farming community. The growers apprised her of the severity of damage to fruit crops, defoliation and damage to fruit-bearing trees following repeated spells of hailstorm and high-velocity winds.

The Deputy Commissioner briefed the Minister about the damage reported from different areas of the district and the measures undertaken by the district administration for damage assessment and relief.

The Chief Horticulture Officer informed the Minister that the preliminary assessment of the damage has already been submitted to the concerned authorities. Besides, village-wise and asam-e -wise details of the losses are being compiled to facilitate further action as per the applicable norms under SDRF/UT norms, he added.

The Minister expressed solidarity with the affected growers and said that horticulture is the backbone of Kashmir’s economy and the government fully understands the distress of the farming community. She assured the affected farmers that all possible assistance and relief would be extended to the eligible beneficiaries under the applicable rules and provisions. She informed that the matter has been taken up at the appropriate level for redress.

On long-term preventive measures, the Chief Horticulture Officer apprised the Minister of the importance of anti-hail nets in protecting the orchards from recurring weather-related damage. He urged the farmers to adopt anti-hail nets, for which the government is providing substantial subsidy under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and other applicable schemes.

Emphasising the importance of horticulture to the region’s economy, Sakeena Itoo said that the government remains committed to strengthen the horticulture sector, protect the livelihoods of fruit growers and extend all possible institutional support to the affected farming community.

Later, the Minister inaugurated the key healthcare and infrastructure facilities at Primary Health Centre (PHC) Nehama, Kulgam, aimed at further strengthening healthcare delivery in the remote area. These included 30 KVA Genset, installed at a cost of Rs. 10 lakh, a 20-bedded inpatient ward and a CBC Analyzer at the health centre. The facilities are expected to significantly enhance the power backup, inpatient capacity and diagnostic services, thereby benefiting the local population.

Sakeena Itoo said that every effort is being made to upgrade the infrastructure, manpower and diagnostics at PHCs and CHCs across Jammu and Kashmir.

In another event, the Minister visited the Government Degree College, D.H. Pora and distributed 500 Dignity Kits among the adolescent girls. The kits contain menstrual hygiene products, health education material and other essentials aimed at providing community support, promoting menstrual health awareness and ensuring dignity and well-being of girls.