Face2News/Chandigarh

To assess the crop loss caused by recent inclement weather, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian today informed that over 500 officials of the Agriculture Department have been pressed into service in affected areas of seven districts in the state. 

Giving details of the exercise, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian stated that the deployed workforce including 145 Group A Agriculture Officers who are specifically monitoring the operations in the affected districts-Amritsar, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Fazilka, Bathinda, Mansa, Ferozepur and Moga. These teams have been strictly directed to work in close coordination with the Revenue Department to ensure the smooth execution of the 'Special Girdawari' (crop loss assessment) ordered by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab government. 

The move comes a day after the Chief Minister’s announcement regarding the Special Girdawari, reiterating the state’s priority to provide immediate relief to the backbone of Punjab's economy—the farmers. 

Highlighting the extent of the natural calamity, the Agriculture Minister revealed that preliminary reports suggest wheat crops across more than 1.25 lakh acres have been impacted by the recent rains and hailstorms.

"The Punjab Government, led by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, stands shoulder to shoulder with our farmers in this hour of crisis," said S. Khudian. 

The Agriculture Minister also visited the affected fields in Sri Muktsar Sahib district today. He emphasized that the department is working on a war footing to complete the assessment accurately and transparently. He also directed the field officials to maintain constant contact with the farming community and provide technical guidance where necessary to salvage the remaining crop.