With continuous rain and hailstorm causing major damage to standing, ripe wheat crop across the state, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Sunday announced 25% enhancement in the compensation for the crop loss to the farmers. Mann who conducted a tour in in Moga, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Bathinda and Patiala districts to assess the damage of crop due to rain, said that in case the loss is more than 75%, then the state government will compensate the farmers with Rs 15,000 per acre. Likewise, he said that if the loss was between 33% to 75% then the farmers will get a compensation of Rs 6750 per acre. Mann said that the labourers will get 10% as compensation so that they do not face any problems, adding that Rs 95100 will be paid as compensation to full house damage whereas Rs 5200 will be given for minor damage to houses due to natural calamities such as rains, tornado in past days. He said that unfortunately the intensity and frequency of rains coupled with high velocity winds and hailstorms have caused substantial damage to the crops and impaired livelihood of a large number of farmers. Mann said that initial reports indicate that cultivated area over several acres has been affected as at this stage Rabi crops were almost ready for a good harvesting season. Mann further said that in order to safeguard the interests of the farmers from nature's fury, the state government will soon introduce a crop insurance scheme for the food growers of the country. He said that earlier the crop insurance scheme announced by Union government had remained confined to the papers only but this scheme will give real relief to farmers. He said that few minutes of hailstorm bring distress on farmers' faces but this scheme will secure the interests of the farmers. Mann said that he could well understand the agony and pain of a large number of farmers who have suffered heavy losses due to sudden and erratic changes in weather. Mann said that in cases where farmers would not be able to harvest or their crops yield was reduced, they were likely to lose nearly a full season and resultantly suffer serious damage to their livelihood. He promised to duly compensate the farmers whose standing crops have been affected due to recent heavy rains coupled with high velocity winds and hailstorms. Mann said that he has already directed the Financial Commissioner (Revenue) to issue detailed instructions to Deputy Commissioners to immediately carry out special girdawari in the areas lashed by rains to ascertain damage caused to crops, orchards and houses on priority.
