Raj Sadosh/Abohar.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal today announced a compensation of Rs five lakh from his MPLAD fund for repair of houses damaged by the tornado which swept across Bakainwala village located near Abohar-Hindumalkot Road besides committing Rs one lakh in his personal capacity for immediate relief work.
The SAD President visited the village besides other places which have witnessed damage to Kinnow orchards and standing wheat fields. Former MLAs Dr Mohinder Rinwa and Hans Raj Josan accompanied Sukhbir Badal. (SUBHEAD)
Demanding that compensation be paid to all those whose houses and Kinnow orchards have been destroyed within fifteen days, Sukhbir Badal said in case this was not done the SAD would launch an agitation to ensure justice to affected farmers. He also talked to the Fazilka DC Dr. Senu Duggal and volunteered to release more money from his MPLAD fund if required. He however said the government should not be slack in providing compensation to the affected farmers. Badal also took on Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for not visiting the affected area. “Earlier also the AAP government has failed to release compensation for crop damage, ” he added.
He said, “First farmers were misled into sowing maize by the chief minister on the promise of procurement by the State on minimum support price (MSP) but only a minuscule portion of the crop was procured leading to heavy losses for lakhs of farmers”. Farmers were also not given any compensation for low wheat yields last year due to a sudden spurt in temperature besides damage due to inclement weather.
