Relief for damaged crops soon, says Union minister

Bijendra Ahlawat

Tribune News Service

Faridabad, March 27

The government was committed to compensate the losses suffered by farmers due to the untimely rains and hailstorms in the region. The compensation will be released after the loss assessment is completed by March end.

This was stated by Krishan Pal Gurjar, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, here today. The state and union governments will ensure that every penny for the damage by the natural calamity reaches those affected.

He said he had sanctioned grant- in- aid of Rs 2 crore each to 12 villages of Hodal subdivision of Palwal district which he had toured on Thursday.

Claiming that the government had already waived off the power bills of those farmers who had suffered losses between 50 and 100 per cent, farmers who had suffered losses between 25 and 50 per cent will have to pay only half the bill.

Scoffing at the compensation paid by the Congress government to the farmers to a similar loss caused earlier, he said the Khattar government will ensure justice to the victims by releasing adequate and honourable amounts as compensation. Defending the Land Acquisition Bill, he said beside the compensation which was four times of the Collector rate, the authorities will ensure a government job to one member of the affected family as per the new policy. No land will be acquired for the purpose other than government projects, he added.

Gurjar also announced round the clock power supply to the villages paying hundred per cent of their bills.

The villages toured by him included Khambi, Gasera, Mirpur Korali, Gulabad, Jatoli, Hassanpur, Likhi, Derana, Biduki, Bansa, Khirbi and Beda patti.