MP Selja slams state govt over flood relief

Former Union Minister and Member of Parliament from Sirsa, Kumari Selja, has criticised the state government’s flood compensation policy, calling it unfair and insulting to farmers.

In a statement to the media, Selja said the compensation announced by the BJP-led state government for flood-affected farmers ranging from Rs 7,000 to Rs 15,000 per acre was too low, especially when compared to the Rs 20,000 per acre being given by the Punjab Government. She said it was shameful for a state that calls itself the most developed to offer such low relief.

Selja also pointed out that the process of claiming compensation in Haryana had become complicated. The farmers were being forced to upload and verify documents multiple times on online portals, which she said added to their distress. “This is like rubbing salt into the wounds of the farmers,” she added. She demanded that the Haryana Government increase the compensation to at least Rs 20,000 per acre and simplify the process. The compensation should be distributed at the village level through local officials such as patwaris and revenue officers, rather than relying on online systems.

Selja further urged the government to conduct an independent survey to ensure no affected farmer was left out.

Citing official data, she said so far, 1,69,738 farmers from 2,897 villages had reported crop loss across 9,96,701 acres. She also criticised the government for offering only Rs 1.3 lakh in compensation for damaged houses, whereas Himachal Pradesh was offering up to Rs 7 lakh for similar damage. Selja warned that if the government did not raise the relief amount soon, the Congress would launch a massive stir across state.