Warrings’ SOS to centre over widespread crop devastation in Punjab

Warrings’ SOS to centre over widespread crop devastation in Punjab

Raps Punjab govt for failure to provide immediate relief

Says, even flood compensation still pending in Punjab

To meet union Agriculture Minister in Delhi

Chandigarh 06 April ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring today sought urgent attention of the union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for help to the farmers whose crops have been destroyed due to heavy unseasonal rains and hailstorm. In a statement, Warring disclosed that a large part of Punjab, particularly the Malwa belt had been hit by heavy rains and heavy hailstorm, which has not only flattened the ripe wheat crop, but completely destroyed it. He said, the extent of damage is such that it cannot be used for fodder even. 

Criticising the Punjab government, he said, it had failed to reach out to the affected farmers. He said, the extent of damage and devastation is like what happened during the devastating floods last year. Asserting that he did not have much hope from the state government, he disclosed that it had not provided compensation to the majority of people who had lost crops and property during the floods.

Warring said that the standard token announcement by the government to conduct the ‘girdawri’ (survey) of the damaged crops would not serve any purpose. He asked what is to be surveyed when the crops over entire fields are lying flattened. He said, the ‘gidawri’ announcements are made just to mislead the victims. He noted that if the state government’s intentions were clear it would provide some immediate interim relief to the farmers and not wait for the ‘girdawri’ reports.

The PCC president said that he had written to the union minister Chouhan and will be meeting him in Delhi after visiting the affected areas. He said he will plead for immediate assistance to the affected farmers as they cannot wait for the state government’s survey as nobody knows when the survey will be completed, and when the compensation will be paid when the past experience is bad and disappointing.