A Tribune Survey —1

40 per cent crop ruined in Kaithal
From KG Dutt
Tribune News Service

KAITHAL: The havoc caused by the recent untimely rains has reduced a number of farmers in Kaithal, Pehowa, Pundri, Pai and Kalayat to penury. Not only the farmers but also the farm labour is facing unprecedented economic crises.

An extensive survey undertaken by this correspondent in Kaithal, Kalayat and Pundri areas has revealed that about 40 per cent of paddy in Kaithal district has been ruined. According to official sources, about 50 per cent of basmati which was sown in about one lakh acre in the district has been affected. Paddy was planted in about 1.51 lakh hectare in Kaithal district. Worst affected areas are Kalayat, Rajond, Pundri and Pai where 3 inch to 5 inch water has submerged the paddy crop. Although, water has receded, to some extent, but not without damaging the crop. In the villages of Serdha, Majra, Kithana, Karora, Sandhil, Mataur, Deban, Jakholi, Balu, the rain water has affected all paddy fields. Consequently, only one third of paddy is arriving in the market this year as compared to last year.

Besides, crop of toria, fodder and vegetables have also been affected. According to official sources, paddy arrival in grain markets of the district last year was about 70,000 quintal per day. This has been reduced to only 20,000 quintal per day now. Due to the rain for five consecutive days there was no arrival of paddy in Kaithal market.

Mr Babu Ram, a farmer of Pai village, told this correspondent with tearful eyes that both his family and his cattle are on the verge of starvation. He is not very sure how he will prepare his fields for the coming rabi crop. He does not believe in the claims of the administration that fields would be dewatered within a month and the farmers would be able to sow their crops.

About 67 villages in the district have been badly affected. The administration claims that it has spent lakhs of rupees for dewatering the fields, but 91 mm rain on October 17 and October 18 have upset the calculations of the administration. The farmers are not even in a position to pay the farm labour.

In the Kalayat area, the situation in villages of Kalasar, Ramgarh, Kherilamba, Chausala, Mataur and Shimla is very bad. Water has entered even the village-abadies in some of these villages. The affected people have taken shelter in some temples in Kalayat and other villages, leaving their homes and cattle.

Farmers told this reporter that in Mataur village crop on 60,000 kanal and in village Barsikri in about 70,000 kanal have been affected. Even the standing crops of sarson and bajra could not escape the flood fury.