SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal seeks Rs 50K/acre compensation for crop loss

Chandigarh: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal Tuesday sought immediate release of compensation of Rs 50,000 per acre to farmers whose wheat crop was destroyed by untimely rain and hailstorms. "The complete destruction of the wheat crop in nearly half of the state is there for all to see. It has also been corroborated by agricultural experts," said Badal in a statement here. "What was he (Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann) waiting for?" Badal asked.

Untimely rains, hailstorm and high-velocity winds have caused damage to wheat and other crops in many areas of Punjab.

Badal said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government had promised to give compensation immediately after crop damage on the 'Delhi Model' and should keep its promise instead of "delaying" the assessment procedure to deny relief to farmers as it had done last year also.

"Farmers have not received compensation for damage done to wheat and cotton crops last year which should also be given immediately," he added. Badal said the SAD will launch an agitation in case "injustice" was done to farmers. He also demanded that compensation for farm labourers be increased to Rs 10,000 per acre and losses suffered by leaseholders be taken into account. Badal demanded that the AAP government take up the issue of value cuts which farmers feared would be put on their wheat harvest with the central government immediately.

"The central government should be asked not to put any value cuts on excess moisture and discoloration of grains due to the special circumstances," said Badal.