Haryana farmer unions dissatisfied with relief, seek Rs 50K per acre

The farmers unions have expressed disappointment with the crop loss relief announced by the state government and demanded a compensation of Rs 50,000 per acre. The government has announced a relief of Rs 7,000-15,000 per acre for crop loss.

The farmers said that the relief announced by the government would not cover their losses as in large number of areas the farmers had re-transplanted the paddy after previous waterlogging and dwarfism virus.

As per the information, during a meeting held between the leaders of the Haryana Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Morcha and the state government in Chandigarh today, the farmer leaders expressed disappointment with the announcement and requested the government to increase the compensation. The farmers have demanded the relief for the losses due to Southern Rice Black Streaked Dwarf Virus, procurement of paddy from September 15 and transparency in distribution of fertilisers.

Bharatiya Kisan Union (Pehowa) spokesman Prince Waraich, said “The government has given a positive response regarding the demands. During the meeting, the matter regarding compensation announced for losses due to waterlogging was also discussed and we have requested the government that farmers should be given Rs 50,000 per acre. The government has also assured that it will take a positive decision in this regard, and the farmers will be able to raise claims regarding losses due to dwarfism virus on e-kshatipurti portal as well.”

Tejveer Singh, spokesman of BKU (Shaheed Bhagat Singh), said, “In view of the heavy losses the government should increase the compensation amount, and also waive the loans of farmers who suffered the losses. The situation is very bad for those who took land on lease for farming and we have also appealed to the land owners, panchayats and various trusts to give exemptions this year.”

Similarly, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) chief Gurnam Singh said, “The government has announced a compensation of Rs 7,000 to 15,000 per acre, which is not sufficient. The agricultural fields are still waterlogged with no hope left for the crops to survive. We have been meeting the affected farmers and they all are of the view that the compensation announced by the government will not cover their losses. Even earlier this season, farmers in Shahabad had witnessed waterlogging and they had done replantation. Later, the dwarfism virus had also affected the crop in the region. The farmers have been facing a loss of around Rs 70,000 per acre, hence the compensation should be at least Rs 50,000 per acre. The government should increase the compensation and also compensate the farmers who have suffered losses due to damaged tubewells.”

“The government should also ensure that officials of the Agriculture Department are sent for the assessment of losses as officials of the Revenue Department can’t assess the agricultural losses properly. The farmers must be apprised about the extent of loss on the spot to ensure transparency and avoid any dispute at the later stage,” he added.