Raj Sadosh/Fazilka/Abohar.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal, while visiting flood affected villages, visited the forward chowki at Maujam in Fazilka to interact with farmers who cultivate land next to the zero line. Villagers who plough land across the barbed wire fence had issued video appeals to the SAD president urging him to take steps to address their grievances. He assured them to take up their case with the Ministry of Defence to construct an appropriate bundh alongside their lands to save them from flooding.
Speaking about the compensation announced by the Punjab chief minister, Badal said “a compensation of Rs 20,000 per acre is too less for farmers to start afresh. Not only do they need money to clear their fields of sand but also have to plough them and make them ready for the next wheat crop. They also need certified seed and fertilizers”.
He said the compensation announced for loss of livestock and damage to houses was not commensurate with the loss suffered by the people. “This is the same chief minister who had assured that he would compensate farmers for goats and even hens but has failed to release an adequate compensation package when needed”. Peasantry was distressed and would not be able to get back on its feet for another two years, extending a loan waiver to flood affected farmers as well as khet mazdoor is the need of the hour.
Badal said that the SAD had decided to distribute 30,000 quintals of certified seed to the flood affected farmers besides providing them 500 trucks of compressed hay and ration. He said efforts were on to initiate this mega rehabilitation drive by September 20.