The state government has not yet provided any financial aid to farmers who have failed to harvest their crops previously. As untimely rains and gusty winds have flattened their ripened paddy crops and inundated their fields for the past three days, many farmers are having sleepless nights.
In 2021, rainwater had damaged my paddy crop on five acres, but I have yet to receive any financial assistance from the government despite submitting all required documents.” Sukhwinder Singh, a farmer from Moonak, said the incessant rain for the past three days flattened his standing crop once again.
Last year, rainwater damaged paddy and other crops in 43 villages on over 5,000 acres. Among the villages affected were Makraud Sahib, Mandvi, Chandu, Bushehra, Shergarh, Shahpur Thedi, Nawagaon, Banarasi, Andana, Chatha Gobindpura, Phulad, Hamirgarh, Bhundar Bhaini, Surjan Bhaini, Salemgarh, Moonak, while the remaining villages were from Lehra.
Currently, the weather is improving and there is no cause for alarm. I have been meeting farmers and if the need arises, I will ask the state government to assess the damage to the crops,” said Lehra MLA Barinder Kumar Goyal.
There have been repeated crop failures in our area in the last two to three years, resulting in losses for many farmers.Their government has not even provided them with a single dollar of financial assistance.. During the assessment process, some officers prepared incorrect reports and favored some politically influential farmers. Rinku Moonak, a leader of BKU Ugrahan, said the government should investigate and take action against the officers.
Sangrur Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal said he had directed all SDMs to monitor the situation closely and assist farmers as soon as possible.