Parvesh Sharma
Tribune News Service
Sangrur, December 31
Amid state government’s claims of giving quick financial aid for crop loss to farmers, around 2,500 pink bollworm-affected farmers in Sangrur are still awaiting compensation. The state government had cleared funds worth Rs 2.33 crore for relief, but the amount is yet to be disbursed to farmers.
“Despite repeated assessments of cotton loss due to pink bollworm, the state government has not released any financial aid to us. Leaders of the ruling party are making big claims. The amount must be released before the imposition of the code of conduct,” said Gurmeet Singh, a farmer from Lehra.
2 years on, no help
In last two years, I have suffered losses twice. The state government is yet to provide any relief. —Satinder Singh, Moonak farmer
As per a report of the Agriculture Department, pink bollworm had affected hundreds of acres of cotton in around 85 villages of Sangrur. The state government had announced a compensation of Rs 17,000 per acre to all those farmers, who have suffered losses above 76 per cent. Those who have suffered losses between 32 to 55 per cent, would be given Rs 5,400 per acre, while Rs 2,000 per acre would be given for 26 to 32 per cent losses.
“In last two years, I have suffered losses twice — first due to rainwater and later due to pink bollworm attack. The state government is yet to provide any relief for these losses,” said Satinder Singh, another farmer from Moonak.
According to sources, after officers of the Sangrur Revenue Department, including Patwari and Tehsildars, prepared detailed reports about the damage to crop, the government had released Rs 2.33 crore. The amount has been lying in Sangrur treasury and officers are likely to start the disbursement in the coming days.
Sangrur District Revenue Officer (DRO) Gagandeep Singh said the funds had been sanctioned. “The disbursement to pink bollworm-affected farmers will start soon after the transfer of the money from the treasury to the SDM offices,” said the DRO.
Over 2,000 pest-hit Sangrur farmers await relief
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