On Saturday, AAP MP Raghav Chadha sought from the Union Finance Minister a special package for Punjab Farmers ensuring them adequate compensation for their crops damaged during rough weather conditions.
In the letter to the finance minister, Chadha, Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab, sought to draw his attention to the problems of the Punjab farmers, saying that since March 24, high-velocity winds, rains, and hailstorms have affected the wheat crop more than 14 lakh hectares of 34.9 lakh hectares of total wheat area in the state.
Chadha in his message to the FM said, "Unseasonal rains have unfavourably impacted the quality and the yield of the standing wheat crops,”
"I met Manjeet Singh, a farmer at a village in Barwa, he clutched the stems of his damaged crops tightly and described his problems with teary eyes. Also, he has a sick wife to look after and a daughter to educate.”
He wrote, "For those examining, loss of crop may well be just a matter of statistics and records. However, for our farmers, it also means a loss of dignity and hope for a better future. More than just destroying their source of livelihood, the rains have robbed the farmers of their joy and desires.”
Chadha said the Bhagwant Mann government in Punjab has raised the compensation amount for crop loss from Rs 12,000 per acre to Rs 15,000 per acre.
“Punjab is our country's food bowl, and farmers are the backbone of our economy. Our farmers have contributed exceptionally towards agriculture and helped our country become self-reliant in food and ensured food security through drought and natural calamities,” added Chadha.
To this, Chadha also added, "It is deeply concerning and heartbreaking that those who struggle day and night to provide us with food are now facing a crisis that is making it difficult for them to feed their families.”
He also said, "The Centre should also step in to assist Punjab farmers in their time of need."
