Tribune News Service
Sangrur, October 10
After the pink bollworm attack on the cotton crop on hundreds of acres in various villages of Sangrur, the district administration has started girdawari (assessment of damage). However, local farmers are sceptical of the entire process.
“Many a time officials do not conduct thorough assessment. In the past also, many girdawaris were done, but some influential persons were favoured in the process. The Punjab Government must release financial relief to all affected farmers on the basis of a preliminary report of the Agriculture Department,” said Sukhwant Singh, a farmer.
As per the Agriculture Department’s report, pink bollworm has affected the cotton crop on 1,500 acres in 85 villages of Sangrur. The district administration has however assigned the task of girdawari to Revenue Department officials, who are visiting various affected villages.
“When the Agriculture Department has all data, what is the need for another assessment through the Revenue Department? Farmers are already under a huge debt. The latest pink bollworm attack will add to their losses,” said Barinder Singh, another farmer.
Sangrur Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ramvir along with a team of senior officials visited Daska, Gidiani, Ratta Khera, Hariun, Dehlan and Guladi villages and took direct feedback from farmers. “I have been personally monitoring the girdawari in the affected areas. We will send the details of all affected farmers to the Punjab Government for financial relief,” said the DC.
Girdawari begins in bollworm-hit areas of Sangrur; farmers sceptic
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