Chandigarh:
In a significant move, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has announced a 25% increase in compensation for crop loss, providing big relief to farmers. The decision was made after taking into account the recent unseasonal rains and hailstorms that caused extensive damage to crops in the state. The Chief Minister stated that the Punjab government is fully committed to the welfare of farmers and that this increase in compensation will help alleviate their financial burden. He urged farmers to submit their claims for compensation at the earliest, so that they can receive the benefits without any delay. The move is expected to provide much-needed support to farmers who have been struggling with various issues, including rising costs, declining yields, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Chief Minister, who conducted a whirlwind tour of villages in Moga, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Bathinda and Patiala to assess the damage of crop due to rain, said that in case the loss is more than 75% then the state government will compensate the farmers with Rs 15,000 per acre.
Likewise, he said that if the loss was between 33% to 75% then the farmers will get compensation worth Rs 6750 per acre.
Similarly, Bhagwant Mann said that the labourers will get 10% 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.
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 succor 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.
Avowing that the state government will duly compensate the farmers for loss meted out by them due to the inclement weather conditions in the state, the Chief Minister said that Punjab government is, was and shall ever be committed for the welfare of the farmers and farm labourers of the State.
He said that the Aam Aadmi Government had always been a votary of the farmers and their rights adding that his government has ever taken appropriate steps to safeguard the interests of the farmers.
Bhagwant Mann said that he can very well understand the agony and pain of a large number of farmers who have suffered heavy losses due to sudden and erratic changes in weather.
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.