PNS/
 
In a major relief to the farmers of the state, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday announced 25 per cent upward revision in the compensation for the crop loss to the farmers.
 
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 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 to 75 per cent, the farmers will get a compensation worth Rs 6,750 per acre.
 
“Similarly, the labourers will get 10 per cent as compensation so that they do not face any problem in life…Rs 95,100 will be paid as compensation to full house damage whereas Rs 5,200 will be given for minor damage to houses,” he said.
 
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. Earlier, the crop insurance scheme announced by the 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. “I assure 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,” he said.
 
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.
 
“The Aam Aadmi Government has always been a votary of the farmers and their rights…My Government has ever taken appropriate steps to safeguard the interests of the farmers. I 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,” he said.
 
Stating that the incessant rainfall is not good for the standing wheat and other Rabi crops, Mann 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. 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.
 
Mann said that he has already directed the Financial Commissioner (Revenue) to issue detailed instructions to the concerned Deputy Commissioners 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 further said that from April 1 canal water will be made available for cotton crop cultivation to the farmers. “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. It is the need of the hour to ensure that water was made available to the cotton cultivators during the sowing season,” he said.
 
Reiterating the state government’s firm commitment to make agriculture a profitable venture, the Chief Minister said that the State Government is taking several decisions in this regard. “MSP is being offered to the farmers for the alternate crops to bring them out of the rut of wheat-paddy cycle and to save the precious water of the state. Likewise, major thrust is being laid on promotion of agriculture allied activities so that income of farmers is supplemented,” he added.
 
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.
 
At the same time, he assured the people that the Government is committed to safeguarding their interests against nature’s fury. 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, he said.
 
The Chief Minister said that apart from this, the State Government is taking various welfare measures for the farming community as we are fully conscious that agriculture is no longer a profitable venture.
 
He categorically said that whenever the farmers had been confronted with any problem or hardship, the Government had wasted no time to come to their rescue which was evident from the bold initiatives taken by the government from day one.