Bhupinder Hooda demands Rs 60-70K per acre relief for flood-hit farmers

Stagnant water continues to cover a large part of agricultural land in several villages of the district, despite measures taken by the district administration to drain out water. The prolonged waterlogging has wreaked havoc on kharif crops, leaving farmers worried about their livelihood.

On Sunday, former Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda visited the flood-affected villages and listened to the problems of the people. He asked administrative officials to provide immediate relief to the affected people.

“The situation of flood and waterlogging remains very serious due to the failure of the BJP government. People need immediate help and compensation, but instead of getting a special girdawari done the government has again directed the affected people to the portal,” claimed Hooda while talking to the media during his visit to the villages. Accompanied by farmers, Hooda, who drove a tractor to visit the flood-affected areas of Meham and Kalanaur Assembly constituencies, said entire standing crop had been destroyed.

“Looking at the scale of waterlogging, there is no hope of the upcoming crop. Farmers should get at least Rs 60,000-70,000 compensation per acre. For the last several years, instead of giving compensation, the government is playing the game of portals. Due to this system, 90 per cent the people affected by disaster do not get compensation. Few farmers, who do receive the compensation, face several months of delays,” said former CM.

He maintained that besides, the government should also compensate people for the damage caused to houses, shops and other buildings. The Central Government should also announce a relief package for flood-affected states like Haryana, Punjab and Himachal.

Hooda said when a similar flood occurred in 1995, he had brought the then Agriculture Minister to the state. “At that time, the Congress government had given compensation to the farmers for every kind of loss, be it farm sheds, tubewells, houses and shops, along with crops. The present government registers cases for stubble burning by looking at satellite images, but when it comes to giving compensation it directs the farmers to the portal,” he said. Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Sachin Gupta said the process of draining out water from agricultural land was progressing smoothly, with administrative teams working continuously in the field.

Inspecting Ajaib, Kharainti, Girawar and Bhaini Surjanpur villages in Maham sub-division yesterday, the DC reviewed the flow of water into drains and interacted with villagers.