Urge Centre to declare paddy yield decline natural calamity: Ex-MP

Senior leaders of the Punar Surjeet Shiromani Akali Dal submitted memorandums to various deputy commissioners on Monday, seeking compensation for low paddy yield.

Former MP Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra said they had appealed to the Chief Minister to persuade the Centre to declare the severe drop in paddy yield across Punjab a natural calamity.

Due to adverse weather conditions, widespread attacks of dwarf virus, and haldi disease, there was a drastic decline in crop yield, he added. He said the state government must take steps to have this crisis recognised as a natural disaster by the Centre, and to ensure that compensation was provided to affected farmers jointly managed by the state and the Centre.

He said if the CM failed to stand by the farmers during this critical period, they would soon send a delegation to the Union Agriculture Minister to advocate for relaxation in paddy procurement norms and paying adequate compensation to affected farmers.