Premium

50% to 100% crop damaged on 3 lakh acres in Punjab

The government had pegged total damage to crop on 5 lakh acres

3 min readChandigarhOct 10, 2025 10:44 PM IST

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had announced in September that farmers, who suffered damage of 75 to 100 per cent will get a compensation of Rs 20,000 crore

The Punjab government has pegged a crop loss of 50 to 100 per cent in 3 lakh acres of the cultivated area for Kharif crops. Crops on two lakh acres have recorded a damage of 25 per cent to 50 per cent.

Sources in the government told The Indian Express that crops on 3 lakh acres of land had suffered huge damage up to 100 per cent. These farmers will get a compensation at the rate of Rs 20,000 per acre. The government had pegged total damage to crop on 5 lakh acres.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had announced in September that farmers, who suffered damage of 75 to 100 per cent will get a compensation of Rs 20,000 crore. For damage of 26 to 33 per cent to their crop would be compensated at Rs 10,000 per acre (enhancement from existing Rs 2000 per acre under SDRF norms), 33 to 75 per cent crop loss to Rs 10,000 from existing Rs 6800 per acre and for 75 to 100 per cent crop loss compensation has been increased to Rs 20,000 per acre again from existing Rs 6800.

He said that in the Rs 20,000 per acre compensation being given to the farmers the state government will contribute Rs 14,900 which is the highest in the country. “We are preparing the damage report on the basis of SDRF guidelines, which has the slabs of 1-25 per cent, 25 to 50 per cent and 50 per cent to 100 per cent. We are sending this as per our special girdawari report submitted by the patwaris,” an official said.

Sources said that 1,371 cows and buffaloes were washed away and 1.75 lakh poultry birds died. For the milch cattle, the compensation would be Rs 37,500. For each poultry bird, it would be Rs 250. There is a cap of 40 birds for the compensation under the SDRF norms. A poultry farmer would not be compensated for more than Rs 10,000, a government official said.

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha who had called a meeting of administrative secretaries of concerned departments was not able to hold it as he was busy with AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal’s visit. Sources said Special Chief Secretary Anurag Verma held a video conferencing with the secretaries in Sinha’s absence. The meeting will now be held on Friday.

Sources also said that the CM has directed officials to prepare a memorandum of damage due to floods so that the government can start rolling out compensation from October 13. He has asked the officials to decide on a place where a function can be organised. “Most likely, it will be near Tarn Taran, which will be going to Assembly bypoll on November 11. Tarn Taran is under code of conduct, so we will do it near Tarn Taran. Also, the damage has been maximum in Majha area. So it makes sense to organise a function to disburse compensation from there,” an official said.

Kanchan Vasdev

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Loading Recommendations...

Apr 16: Latest News

Live Blog