The SAD has moved a calling attention notice on the damage caused to wheat and potato crops due to inclement weather, resulting in losses to farmers and labourers. Revenue minister Brahm Shankar Jimpa said if need arises, the state govt would order a special girdawari (inspection) in the affected districts to assess the situation and compensate farmers.

Akali MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali said at some places, standing wheat crop had been flattened and potato harvesting disrupted.

"Also, there were reports of damage to mustard and vegetables at many places. We demand that the state govt should pay attention to this serious issue and offer adequate compensation to the farmers," he added.

Ayali said that during previous instances of crop loss, farmers were not adequately compensated. Another SAD MLA, Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi, added that during the floods last year in villages of Nawanshahr, the deputy commissioner had promised to get details of affected areas from satellite imagery as there was shortage of field staff. However, he claimed, the farmers were not given sufficient relief.

Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan also pointed out that in Kot Sukhia village of his constituency, there were complaints that a patwari fudging the names of beneficiaries and asked Jimpa to get the matter inquired.

In his official reply to the calling attention notice, Jimpa said, "If the crops have been damaged due to notified natural calamities in the past few days, they would be covered under the regular or special girdawari to be conducted by the DCs."

Source - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com