Border farmers up in arms over delay in compensation, warn of protest

Our Correspondent

Tarn Taran, June 19

Farmers of the border areas have warned the government of protest in case it fails to release the compensation for those having their agricultural land across the fence. Under the banner of the Punjab Border Kisan Welfare Society (PBKWS), farmers said would stage a sit in in front of the residence of Khemkaran MLA Sukhpal Singh Bhullar if their demands are not met.

Surjit Singh Bhura, state vice president of the society, on Tuesday said the PBKWS had succeeded to get Rs 50 lakh released for the Khemkaran farmers. The compensation was for 2015 which was yet to be distributed to the affected farmers of certain villages.

Surjit said officials had been dilly-delaying over it. The Khemkaran MLA is currently abroad.

Sources in the Deputy Commissioner’s (DC) office said the grant was deposited in the account of the Patti SDM Patti four months back. When contacted, SDM Surinder Singh Patti said he had deposited it with the Khemkaran Tehsildar shortly after receiving the funds from the DC office.

The SDM added that the distribution of the amount had been delayed due to issues in the maintenance of the record of the farmers concerned besides the transfer of the Khemkaran Tehsildar. “The new Tehsildar took the charge today. The process of distributing the compensation will be initiated soon,” he added.