A farmer inspects the damages of his wheat crop flattened by robust winds and rains, on the outskirts of Amritsar, Friday on March 24, 2023. The Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) introduced protest against the delay in releasing compensation for crop loss as a consequence of rains.
| Photo Credit: PTI
The farmer anguish against the Punjab authorities, led by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and criticism from political events is on the rise, surrounding the ‘compensation’ for the broken crops following current rains accompanied by gusty winds in most components of the State.
Farmer unions have introduced that they might maintain demonstrations against the incumbent authorities, to press for the “immediate and adequate” launch of compensation for the crop loss. Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan), the biggest farmer union in Punjab, can be staging demonstrations throughout the State on April 5.
Hitting out on the AAP authorities, Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, normal secretary of the outfit, on Tuesday advised The Hindu that the federal government was ignoring farmers and failed to deal with farmers’ issues, just like the earlier governments.
“The crops, including wheat and vegetables have suffered an immense loss in the past few days, due to unseasonal rains. The government should immediately compensate farmers. Recently, the government has announced to enhance the relief amount from ₹12,000 per acre to ₹15,000 per acre for 76-100% loss of crops. This increase is insufficient,” he mentioned.
“If we talk about the wheat crop, the compensation amount should be at least ₹70,000 per acre. What the government has announced does not even cover the input cost, what to talk about the compensation,” he added.
Demonstration on April 6
Another outstanding outfit, Bhartiya Kisan Union- (Ekta Dakonda), shall be staging demonstrations throughout the State on April 6 surrounding the demand for an instantaneous and ample launch of compensation for the crop loss. Members of the Krantikari Kisan Union would additionally maintain demonstrations on the compensation concern on April 5.
“The AAP government is not keeping its pre-poll promise. In public gatherings, their (AAP) leaders used to say that if they come to power, their government will give compensation even before conducting the ‘ girdawari’ (crop loss assessment), but after assuming power they are working like previous governments. Also, the increase announced by the State Government is inadequate,” mentioned Mr. Kokrikalan.
“We will be holding demonstrations on April 6 in the State, demanding the immediate and adequate release of compensation for the crop loss,” he mentioned.
‘Delhi model’ compensation
Political events have additionally come in help of the farmers. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal has demanded quick launch of compensation on the price of ₹50,000 per acre to farmers, whose wheat crop has been destroyed.
Mr. Badal mentioned the AAP had promised to present compensation instantly after crop harm on the ‘Delhi Model’, and will make good on its promise as a substitute of delaying the evaluation process, to disclaim reduction to farmers.
Punjab’s Leader of the Opposition, Partap Singh Bajwa flayed the State authorities for asserting “too meagre compensation for the farmers”. Seeking an growth in the reduction package deal being supplied by the AAP authorities, Mr. Bajwa mentioned that with such scanty compensation, wheat farmers wouldn’t even be capable of get better their enter value.
“What the government has announced does not even cover the input cost, what to talk about the compensation”Sukhdev Singh KokrikalanGeneral secretary, Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan)
