New Delhi, April 5: Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has urgently requested assistance from the central government following significant damage to wheat crops in Punjab due to unseasonal rain and hail. He has written to Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, demanding an immediate assessment, relief package, and policy support. Randhawa shared this information on the social media platform X.
In his post, he stated, “I have written to Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan requesting an immediate assessment, relief package, and policy support, especially since farmers do not have coverage under the PMFBY (Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana).”
Randhawa emphasized the critical nature of his letter, highlighting the severe issues faced by farmers across Punjab, particularly in the Gurdaspur region. Since March 30-31, several districts in Punjab have experienced unseasonal rain, strong winds, and hail. Areas such as Bathinda, Mansa, Fazilka, Muktsar Sahib, Patiala, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Hoshiarpur, and Gurdaspur have reported extensive crop damage. The weather department has also issued warnings for adverse weather on April 6 and 7, which could worsen the situation.
Punjab cultivates wheat across approximately 3.4 million hectares. The crops were ready for harvest, and the procurement process began on April 1, just as the weather deteriorated. In many areas, crop loss has reached between 30% to 70%. Continuous rainfall has delayed harvesting by nearly two weeks, increasing the risk of disease due to rising moisture levels and degrading crop quality. Even harvested crops have been affected by rain, impacting both their quality and market value.
Additionally, wet soil conditions have hindered the operation of harvesting machines. Farmers find themselves in a predicament where they cannot harvest or sell their crops. A major concern is that Punjab’s farmers are not enrolled in the PMFBY, leaving them without any insurance benefits.
This situation raises several critical questions and demands. Has the central government conducted any assessment of these losses? If not, an immediate survey should be initiated. How will relief be provided to Punjab’s farmers? Will the central government offer special assistance from the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF), or will the burden fall entirely on the state government?
Moreover, the compensation amount provided under the SDRF is currently insufficient based on present costs, necessitating an increase. Due to adverse weather, moisture levels in wheat have risen. Therefore, the FCI’s procurement standards should be relaxed to prevent farmers’ crops from being rejected in markets, sparing them from further losses.
It is also crucial for the central government to include Punjab in the PMFBY to protect farmers from future disasters. The letter concludes by stating that Punjab’s farmers are the backbone of the nation’s food security and are currently facing a severe crisis. A prompt assessment of the damages and the announcement of concrete relief measures are urgently requested.
My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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