Chandigarh, April 9 (NationPress) The Punjab administration must promptly extend Rs 50,000 per acre as compensation to farmers impacted by unseasonal rains, hailstorms, and strong winds, asserted Ashwani Sharma, acting BJP President.

In his remarks, Sharma stated, “The Punjab government's own statistics indicate that over 1.30 lakh acres of crops have suffered damage across the state. Should a thorough girdawari (crop assessment) take place, this figure could potentially increase.”

Farmers are still reeling from the devastation caused to the paddy crop due to floods in 2025, and now they face another crisis.

“The Kharif crop did not yield results, and the Rabi crop has also been adversely affected. This is a profoundly challenging time for agriculture. Farmer organizations have consistently called for compensation, which requires immediate attention,” he emphasized.

“Farmers are already under substantial debt, and the persistent cycle of crop losses is exacerbating their financial struggles. Therefore, it is crucial to support farmers during this critical period.”

Sharma further criticized the government for its lackadaisical approach, claiming that it routinely sends letters to the Centre to shift responsibility whenever farmers face disasters.

He claimed that funds received from the Central government are often misappropriated for advertising, hoardings, and self-promotion.

Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian recently urged the Central government to send a high-level team to evaluate the damage inflicted on wheat and other Rabi crops due to unseasonal heavy rainfall and hailstorms in the state.

In a letter addressed to Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Khudian underscored the severe impact of adverse weather conditions on wheat crops.

He noted that wheat planted across 35 lakh hectares was expected to yield a substantial harvest, but relentless rainfall and hailstorms have inflicted considerable damage, pushing the farming community into distress.

According to the initial assessment by the state Agriculture Department, crop losses have been reported on more than 1.30 lakh acres. The damage is ongoing as rain persists, and the final figures may escalate,” Khudian explained.

He added that the damage extends beyond wheat, affecting vegetables, fodder, and other Rabi crops across various districts such as Fazilka, Ferozepur, Muktsar Sahib, Bathinda, Amritsar, Moga, and Mansa.

The losses threaten both the livelihoods of farmers and the agrarian economy of the state.