500 agriculture dept officials deployed to assess crop damage

To assess crop loss caused by inclement weather, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian on Wednesday said more than 500 Agriculture Department officials have been deployed across seven affected districts in the state.

Giving details, Khudian said the deployed workforce include 145 Group A agriculture officers, who are specifically monitoring operations in Amritsar, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Fazilka, Bathinda, Mansa, Ferozepur and Moga.

He added that teams have been strictly directed to work in close coordination with the Revenue Department to ensure smooth execution of the ‘Special Girdawari’ (crop loss assessment) ordered by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

The move comes a day after the Chief Minister’s announcement regarding the Special Girdawari, reiterating the state’s priority to provide immediate relief to farmers.

Highlighting the extent of natural calamity, the minister said preliminary reports suggest that wheat crops spread across more than 1.25 lakh acres have been impacted by recent rains and hailstorms.

“The Punjab Government stands shoulder to shoulder with farmers in this hour of crisis,” said Khudian.

He added, “The government is committed to compensating losses caused by natural calamities as per prescribed norms. No stone will be left unturned to ensure that every affected farmer gets their due compensation after final reports are submitted by Deputy Commissioners.”

The minister also visited affected fields in Sri Muktsar Sahib district today. He said the department is working on a war footing to complete the assessment accurately and transparently.

Officials have also been directed to maintain constant contact with farmers and provide technical guidance to help salvage the remaining crop.