As many as 1,375 insured farmers have sought compensation for the crop loss in over 10,000 hectare under the Pradhan Manti Fasal Bima Yojana in the district, while hundreds of uninsured farmers, too, are hoping to get the relief.
Farmers say hundreds of acres of crop has submerged after rain lashed the region recently. Besides wheat, mustard, sugarcane and vegetable crops have been damaged.
Sukhvinder Singh, a farmer from Sapera village, said: “Wheat crop in around 10 acres has been badly affected. Due to the construction of the Ambala Cantonment-Saha road, a drain has been blocked and water is not draining out. A large number of farmers are not insured and the government should compensate us.”
Vinod Rana of Khudda Kalan village said: “Excessive rainfall has damaged crops in several acres. There are farmers who had taken land on lease and it will be a huge loss for them. Officials have visited the site, but draining out water will take time. There is a need to make permanent arrangements for proper drainage of rainwater.”
Pradeep Chauhan, another farmer, said: “As the natural flow of water has been blocked, it is receding at a slow pace. Crop in around 10 acres has got damaged.”
Bhartiya Kisan Union (Charuni) district president Malkit Singh said: “Crops in hundreds of acres are lying submerged for the past four days. Pump sets are being used to drain out water but chances of crop survival are bleak. We have requested the government for special girdawari.”
Agriculture Deputy Director Girish Nagpal said: “As many as 1,375 insured farmers have sought compensation for the crop loss, including wheat and mustard. Records are being compiled and the insurance company will start its survey next week.” District Revenue Officer Rajbir Dhiman said: “Water has started receding. As soon as the orders are received, the department will start the special girdawari to assess the loss.” DC Vikram Singh said: “The natural flow of water has been disturbed by some farmers who created bandhs to avoid water flowing into their field. Teams under SDMs were formed and officials have visited the affected areas. Water is being pumped out. Following farmers’ objections, long pipes are being used to drain out the water.”
Source - https://www.tribuneindia.com
