Srinagar: Independent Langate lawmaker Er Rasheed on Monday questioned why Jammu and Kashmir Bank cannot help the orchardists who suffered loses during untimely snowfall when it could help the flood victims of Kerala.

In a statement, the firebrand lawmaker said that when the state government and J&K Bank could help in the rehabilitation of Kerala flood-hit victims and even compel the state government employee to donate one day’s salary for the cause, why should not central government come to the rescue of state government as fruit industry is the backbone of the state economy.

Rasheed appealed the government to support those whose orchards were damaged and sought considerable package for fruit growers all across the valley, who have suffered huge losses on account of damage caused to their orchards due to sudden snowfall.

“The damage caused to fruit growers in the valley is beyond imagination. While Governor’s revelation that fruit growers will be compensated is a welcome move but we need not forget that in the past, successive governments have made promises only to break them.”