In big relief to Punjab farmers, CM Bhagwant Mann announces 25 per cent enhancement in compensation for crop loss

Tribune News Service

Patiala, March 26

In a major relief to the state farmers, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday announced 25 per cent upward revision in compensation for crop loss.

CM @BhagwantMann visited various villages to assess crop damage due to unseasonal rain & hailstorm

After ground inspection, he announced compensation of

➡️ Rs 15K/acre to farmers with 75%+ crop damage

➡️ Rs 6,750/acre to farmers with 33-75% crop loss

➡️ Rs 95K for damaged houses pic.twitter.com/GifJcvYBDK

— AAP Punjab (@AAPPunjab) March 26, 2023

The Chief Minister, who conducted a whirlwind tour of villages in Patiala, Moga, Sri Muktsar Sahib and Bathinda to assess crop damage due to rain, said in case the loss is more than 75 per cent, the state government will compensate the farmers with Rs 15,000 per acre. Likewise, he said that if the loss was between 33 per cent to 75 per cent then the farmers will get a compensation worth Rs 6,750 per acre. Similarly, Bhagwant Mann said that the labourers will get 10 per cent as compensation so that they do not face any problem in life adding that Rs 95100 will be paid as compensation to full house damage whereas Rs 5200 will be given for minor damage to houses.

Cabinet Minister and constituency MLA Chetan Singh Jauramajra along with Agriculture Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal and Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh were also present.

The Chief Minister further said that in order to safeguard the interests of the farmers from nature's fury, the state government will soon introduce a crop insurance scheme for the food growers of the country. He said that earlier the crop insurance scheme announced by Union government had remained confined to the papers only but this scheme will give real succour to the farmers. He bemoaned that these days 20 minutes of hailstorm bring distress on farmers’ faces but this scheme will secure the interests of the farmers adding he assured the farmers that the state government is with the farmers in this hour of crisis and no stone will be left unturned for their welfare.

The Chief Minister said that the incessant rainfall is not good for the standing wheat and other Rabi crops. He said that unfortunately the intensity and frequency of rains coupled with high velocity winds and hailstorms have caused substantial damage to the crops and impaired livelihood of a large number of farmers. Bhagwant Mann said that initial reports indicate that cultivated area over several acres has been affected as at this stage Rabi crops were almost ready for a good harvesting season.

The Chief Minister bemoaned that in cases where farmers would not be able to harvest or their crops yield was reduced, they were likely to lose nearly a full season and resultantly suffer serious damage to their livelihood. He vowed to duly compensate the farmers whose standing crops have been affected due to recent heavy rains coupled with high velocity winds and hailstorms. Bhagwant Mann said that he has already directed the Financial Commissioner (Revenue) to issue detailed instructions to the concerned Deputy Commissioner's to immediately carry out special girdawari in the areas lashed by rains to ascertain damage caused to crops, orchards and houses on priority.

The Chief Minister said that he had asked the officers to ensure that the report is submitted at the earliest so that adequate compensation as per government's norms is given to the affected people. He assured the people that the government is committed to safeguarding their interests against nature’s fury. Bhagwant Mann said that every effort will be made to compensate the farmers and labourers for the losses suffered due to the current spell of recent rains in the state.

The Chief Minister further said that from April 1 canal water will be made available for cotton crop cultivation to the farmers. He said that the water supply will be ensured in the cotton belt of the state so as to ensure that cotton cultivators are benefited in a big way.  

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