Floods have caused massive damage to the economy of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh with tourism and farm sector being the worst hit. Mammoth loses have been incurred by farmers whose produce have been washed away in the floods. The Himachal Pradesh government has therefore decided to compensate the farmers of Kinnaur district- one of the worst affected areas in the state.
Apple, peas and Rajma that are the main crops grown by farmers in the region have been completely destroyed. According to an estimate by the horticulture department, 90 percent of the apple crop in Kinnaur district has been damaged. Keeping this in mind the state government has promised to give cash incentives to farmers at their doorsteps.
Meanwhile, teams of officials of the horticulture and agriculture departments are visiting rain-hit areas to evaluate the loss incurred by the farmers.
According to sources, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and sought financial relief to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore. The loss of private and public property in the unprecedented rains has been estimated at Rs 2,575 crore.
Photo by Sahil
