The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal has called for the immediate release of compensation of Rs 50,000 per acre to farmers whose wheat crop was destroyed by untimely rain and hailstorms. According to Badal, nearly half of the state has witnessed complete destruction of the wheat crop, which has been corroborated by agricultural experts. The untimely rains, hailstorm, and high-velocity winds have caused damage to wheat and other crops in many areas of Punjab.
Badal criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for delaying the assessment procedure to deny relief to farmers, as it had done last year. He demanded that compensation for farm laborers be increased to Rs 10,000 per acre and losses suffered by leaseholders be taken into account. Additionally, Badal called for the AAP government to take up the issue of value cuts, which farmers feared would be put on their wheat harvest with the central government immediately.
Badal warned that the SAD would launch an agitation in case “injustice” was done to farmers. He also demanded that compensation for damage done to wheat and cotton crops last year should also be given immediately. The AAP government had promised to give compensation immediately after crop damage on the ‘Delhi Model’ and should keep its promise. The central government should be asked not to put any value cuts on excess moisture and discoloration of grains due to special circumstances, according to Badal.
