Farmers reject Sangrur admn report on damage to crops

Tribune News Service

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Sangrur, March 8

Farmers have rejected the Sangrur administration’s preliminary report on damage to crops over 7,150 acres due to recent rain and hailstorm as a “bundle of lies”, as the officers concerned have claimed that the damage to crops is below 25 per cent. The farmers alleged that many among them had suffered losses more than 50 per cent. They also said the officers had prepared the report without even visiting the fields of affected farmers.

“More than 50 per cent of my land has been affected. However, the officers did not visit our field, and sent a report that the loss to crop is below 25 per cent. Like me, there are many more farmers from my village and other villages, who are awaiting the visit of officers so that we can show them the real picture,” said BKU Ugrahana leader Darshan Singh from Sangrur’s Kotra village.

As per the report prepared by officers of the Revenue Department, rain and hailstorm has affected standing wheat crops in 7,150 acres in Gaga, Changaliwala, Khokhar, Gidriani, Ladal, Hariau, Daska, Sangatpura, Fatehgarh, Bhai Ki Pashore, Sekhuwas, Faleda, Lehra, Adkwas, Khai, Alisher, Chulad Kalan, Kalia, Lehal Kalan, Lehal Khurd, Bakhora Kalan, Gurne and in some other villages.

In all villages, officers of the Revenue Department have submitted in their reports that the damage was between 0 to 25 per cent. It was done so because till 25 per cent, the government does not give any compensation for loss, said Sangrur District Revenue Officer (DRO) Gagandeep Singh. “Till 25 per cent loss of crop, there is no provision of any financial help. From 26 to 32 per cent loss, the government awards Rs2,000 compensation per acre, from 32 to 75 per cent loss, Rs5,500 compensation per acre and from 76 to 100 per cent loss, Rs12,000 compensation per acre. All affected farmers will get compensation,” said the DRO.

“The size of hailstorm was small and it did not damage crops in a big way. Only some damage was caused to the top parts of crops. Our teams are visiting various villages to guide farmers on how they can save their crops,” said Jaswinderpal Singh Grewal, Chief Agriculture Officer, Sangrur.

The DRO said it was only a preliminary report and they would prepare the final report in the coming days after visiting the affected fields.