Akali Leaders Demand Compensation for Punjab Farmers Affected by Hailstorms

Original: Akali leaders Harsimrat, Majithia seek compensation for crop damage due to hailstorms

Hindustan Times•Apr 6, 20263 min

In a Nutshell

Harsimrat Kaur Badal, a senior leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal and MP from Bathinda, has urged the Indian Union Agriculture Minister to assess hailstorm damage to wheat crops in Punjab. Alongside, Bikram Singh Majithia called for immediate compensation of ₹50,000 per acre for farmers, highlighting the severe impact on their livelihoods.

Key Points

01Harsimrat Kaur Badal has requested a special team to evaluate crop damage in Punjab.
02Bikram Singh Majithia demands ₹50,000 compensation per acre for affected farmers.
03The hailstorms have severely damaged wheat and maize crops across multiple districts.
04Farmers are facing despair due to lack of government support and timely assessments.
05Majithia calls for a law to ensure compensation for various crops in future disasters.

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Full Summary

In response to recent hailstorms that devastated wheat crops in Punjab, Harsimrat Kaur Badal (senior leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal and MP from Bathinda) urged Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to send a team to assess the damage and provide a special compensation package for affected farmers. She also requested a one-year deferment on loans for these farmers and concessional rates for fertilizers. The hailstorms, which struck areas including Bathinda, Mansa, and Fazilka, flattened crops over thousands of acres, rendering them unharvestable. Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia echoed the call for immediate compensation of ₹50,000 (approximately $600 USD) per acre, criticizing the state government for its inaction and lack of urgency in providing relief. He emphasized that farmers, already struggling with debt, deserve timely compensation as a right, not a favor. Majithia also proposed long-term measures to ensure compensation for losses to various crops in future incidents, noting the emotional and financial toll on farmers.

Key Figures

₹50,000

Proposed compensation per acre for affected farmers

thousands

Acres of wheat crops damaged by hailstorms

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Why It Matters

The hailstorm damage has left farmers in Punjab financially and emotionally devastated, with urgent compensation needed to help them recover.

Who is affected

Farmers in Punjab, particularly those growing wheat and maize.

What to know

Farmers should advocate for timely compensation and support from both state and central governments.

FAQ

The hailstorms impacted several districts including Bathinda, Mansa, Fazilka, Moga, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Hoshiarpur, and Fatehgarh Sahib.

Harsimrat Kaur Badal is advocating for a compensation package, loan deferment, and concessional fertilizer rates, while Bikram Singh Majithia is demanding immediate compensation of ₹50,000 per acre.

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