Pb minister attacks Sukhbir over compensation to muskmelon farmers

Punjab Revenue and Rehabilitation Minister Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria today targeted Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal for his "new found love" for farmers and his "ignorance" towards the ground realities.

The minister was reacting to Sukhbir's recent allegations that the government had not awarded any compensation nor ordered any girdawari (assessment) of the muskmelon crop damaged due to the hailstorm.

"It is not surprising for someone like Sukhbir, otherwise fond of spending time and doing business in seven star hotels only, to come out during election days and shed crocodile tears for the farmers as during the last 10 years (when SAD was in power in Punjab) he never ever stepped into any agricultural field," Sarkaria said.

He said, the girdawari was ordered on May 2 itself and it has been conducted in an area of 5,254 acres where muskmelon crops were damaged.

The compensation will be paid to the farmers immediately after the model code of conduct, which came in force for Shahkot Assembly bypoll, is lifted.

"Just because you prefer to remain blissfully ignorant does not mean our government is not working," he told Sukhbir, adding that the girdawari will be completed in the next few days.

"But Badal is either ignorant or is deliberately trying to mislead the farmers of Shahkot on the eve of by-election as, otherwise, he should know that no compensation can be announced or awarded till the process of election is complete in view of the code of conduct," he said.

"Let me tell Sukhbir that not only muskmelon, but maize was also damaged and if you are really concerned about the plight of the farmers, you should have mentioned about them as well," Sarkaria said.

The minister said the maize farmers will also be compensated.