Malerkotla Bar Assn gives cash, goods to flood-hit farmers

Lawyers of this smallest and youngest district of the border state have come forward to support rehabilitation of flood-hit farmers and sustainable agriculture in one of the worst hit areas of Sultanpur Lodhi.

Besides contributing Rs 2.5 lakh for the ongoing construction of bundhs along the swollen Beas and houses of marginal farmers, office-bearers and activists of the District Bar Association, Malerkotla, led by president advocate Arvind Maavi helped several needy families by providing household goods of daily use.

Referring to information provided by volunteers of a committee of affected farmers from 16 villages of Sultanpur Lodhi region, Arvind Maavi said the recent floods had been caused in that area due to the swelling of the Beas and breaching of embankments during recent floods.

“As maximum loss was incurred due to abrupt change of course of the river, farmers of 16 villages had constituted a joint committee that was supervising construction of bundhs with contributions and donations pouring in from people and private organisations,” said Maavi, regretting that the alleged apathy of the administration had compelled farmers to undertake remedial steps on their own.

Appreciating organised rescue operations and remedial steps being undertaken jointly by villagers of the region, the lawyers urged the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to provide technical and financial support to all those teams of farmers which were sharing administration’s responsibility to ensure sustainability of agriculture.

Visibly shaken on seeing the level of devastation during their visit, the enthusiasts stressed on the need of an extensive survey to study the future vulnerability of cultivable land due to pressure exerted by natural change of course of water of rivers so that organised remedial steps could be taken.

Maavi said the gesture to support the cause would be further continued after discussing the issues in a meeting of the association.