Farmers yet to get relief for crop loss, unburnt stubble

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, December 31

While 2019 has drawn to a close, farmers continue to wait for crop loss compensation and relief money from the state government for not burning paddy straw.

July rains had caused massive damage to crops in 59 villages of the district. However, six months after the tragedy, not even a single penny has been disbursed.

The state government had at the time ordered a special girdawari to assess damage to crops. Under the norms, the state government gives Rs12,000 per acre per crop compensation in such cases.

Similarly, those who suffered loss to buildings are yet to get relief. They are entitled to Rs95,000 as per government rules. Further, the state government had in November announced Rs2,500 per acre in compensation to small and marginal farmers for not burning paddy straw. However, that too has yet to be disbursed.

Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta) district president Puran Singh Doda said: “Nearly six months after monsoon rains caused massive loss to crops in the district, compensation disbursement work has yet to start. The farmers are also awaiting relief money announced for not burning the paddy straw. The year has ended and we appeal to the district administration to start disbursement work at the earliest.”

Deputy Commissioner MK Aravind Kumar said: “For the crop loss compensation, Rs2.76 crore has been demanded from the state government and as soon as we get the money, the disbursement work will begin. Further, the cases are being verified to give relief money to those who did not burn paddy straw. The disbursement work will begin within 15 days.”