VALPOI: Farmers of Sattari Taluka especially from Sonal Tar village have been badly affected on account of the recent heavy rains and gusty winds, which damaged their plantations.
Almost 6000-odd banana trees were destroyed completely during the recent floods. Besides, over 100 coconut and arecanut trees got uprooted due to the continuous heavy downpour which lashed the State for the last two weeks.
“I had grown 3,500 banana trees in my fields, most got uprooted. To add to my woes, coconut and arecanut trees too got uprooted. I have suffered a huge loss of Rs 6 lakh,” complained Ranjeet Rane, a farmer.
It may be recalled that in 2005, there was similar flood situation in the State, which affected several farmers across Goa. The Sattari farmers too had suffered huge losses. Many government officers had visited the affected villages of taluka and had taken the report of estimated loss and had submitted the same to the then government.
The farmers alleged that while taking to the reports on the estimated losses, some officers had taken the money from them (farmers) at that time. The officials said they would submit their report to the then government. But till date, the Sattari farmers have not been provided with any compensation from the government.
“It’s almost 14 years now and we demand that the present government release the pending compensation immediately,” Sattari farmers demanded.
