Punjab releases Rs 4.77 cr for rain-hit farmers

Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal has directed officials to ensure immediate disbursal of relief to farmers whose crop have been damaged due to inclement weather in the state.

Badal also asked deputy commissioners to prepare and submit a detailed report on the extent of damage caused during the recent adverse weather conditions.

Meanwhile, the state government has sanctioned Rs 4.77 crore as an immediate relief to the farmers in Amritsar, Sangrur Ludhiana, Moga, Jalandhar and Fatehgarh Sahib districts. Over 18,968 acres of crop has been affected by the untimely rains and hailstorm between March 20 and April 2 this year, said chief minister's media adviser Harcharan Bains.

 

According to a survey by the revenue department, Ludhiana district was the worst affected where crop on over 5,416 acres had been damaged. This was followed by Fatehgarh Sahib (5,130 acres) and Jalandhar (3,101 acres). The Punjab government has already enhanced the compensation for natural calamity from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 per acre.