Punjab announces ‘highest-ever’ flood compensation of Rs 20,000 per acre; but farmers seek clarity, more aid

Questions over cap on relief

A major concern voiced by farmers is whether the compensation will apply to the entire landholding or remain capped at a fixed acreage, as in previous instances. In 2023, the state government had disbursed compensation only for five acres per farmer, regardless of whether the cultivator owned eight or even 80 acres.

“I have 65 acres of land, and all of it is submerged. There were 14 tubewells in my fields, and every single one has been damaged. In 2023, we got only Rs 6,800 per acre — the Centre’s share of the compensation — and not a rupee from the state. Moreover, the aid was capped at five acres. This time the government must make its policy clear,” said Iqbal Singh Mallah, of Muthianwala village in Ferozepur district.

Similar apprehensions were raised in Fazilka, where farmers cultivating in riverbed areas said they remained excluded from relief since 2017, when ownership rules were amended. “Farmers who grow crops on riverbed land don’t have ownership rights. We did not receive compensation in 2019 or 2023, and the government’s announcement is ambiguous about us again,” said Sukhwinder Singh of Retewali Bhaini village.

‘Peanuts’ compared to the scale of loss

Beyond the question of acreage, cultivators also stressed that crop compensation alone does not reflect the full extent of the damage they have suffered. Darshan Singh, a farmer from Nihala Lavera village in Ferozepur, pointed out that paddy losses alone exceeded the announced figure.

“Rs 20,000 per acre is just peanuts. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann himself said during his visit to flood-affected villages earlier that he wanted to announce Rs 50,000 per acre. Even if we accept Rs 20,000, what about our tubewells, bore pipes, borewells, houses, livestock and the other items? The list of losses is long, and this package barely scratches the surface,” he said.

Iqbal added that compensation policies must also cover farm infrastructure such as transformers, tubewell rooms, vehicles and household goods, many of which were damaged in the inundation. The water is yet to recede from many villages.

Farm unions demand more relief

Farmer organisations too pressed for more generous relief. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) demanded Rs 1 lakh per acre, while the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) called for Rs 70,000 per acre. Both unions argued that the government’s figure was inadequate given the widespread devastation.

At the same time, some farmers welcomed the state’s decision to allow them to extract sand deposited in their fields by floodwaters. “The ‘Jisda Khet, Usdi Ret’ policy at least gives us a chance to recover something by selling sand from our fields,” said Dilbagh Singh Harigarh, a farmer from Ludhiana district.

The government underlined that this is the highest compensation ever announced in Punjab for crop loss. In October 2021, then chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi had declared Rs 17,000 per acre for cotton farmers hit by the pink bollworm pest.

Still, some cultivators see political one-upmanship behind the timing of the latest decision. “Now all eyes are on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Tuesday visit. But I doubt any central package will change the compensation figure. The state government has already made its announcement to score political points,” said Iqbal.

Over 3.5 lakh acres of farmland submerged

Nearly 2,000 villages have been badly affected in this year’s floods, according to official estimates. Apart from crop losses, there has been extensive damage to rural and urban infrastructure—roads, bridges, government buildings, houses, vehicles, furniture, and household gadgets. Over 3.57 lakh people have been affected and more than 3.5 lakh acres of area under agriculture have been submerged in flood waters.

Farmers said they are awaiting formal orders from the deputy commissioners’ offices before they can understand the details of the relief scheme. Until then, uncertainty remains.

Meanwhile, NGOs and philanthropists continue to play a key role in relief and rehabilitation, conducting surveys and distributing aid in the worst-hit villages. Farmers appealed to them to continue the rehabilitation and relief work until they are able to find their feet again.

Farmer and Mansa-based advocate Gurlabh Singh Mahal said, “The capable leaders of Punjab’s Cabinet have forgotten to provide relief to labourers and landless people living in flood-affected areas. It is these people who are facing the worst conditions. The government is in the hands of inexperienced people and its result is before us.”

Lachhman Singh Sewewala, general secretary of Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union, said, “It is not a new thing that farm labourers are being ignored yet again. It was the houses of labourers which were affected the most, but they find no mention in the CM’s speech.”

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