Will Punjab Provide Two Lakh Quintal Wheat Seeds to Farmers Affected by Floods?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Punjab government providing two lakh quintal of wheat seeds.
- Targeting farmers affected by recent floods.
- Initiative worth Rs 74 crore.
- Support for Rabi crop preparation.
- Effort to mitigate farmers' hardships.
Chandigarh, Sep 24 (NationPress) In a compassionate initiative, the Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has announced the distribution of two lakh quintal of wheat seeds at no cost to farmers whose crops have been devastated by floods across approximately five lakh acres of land.
Revealing the specifics, the Chief Minister stated that the agricultural community in the state has incurred significant losses due to the floods, and the two lakh quintal of seeds, valued at Rs 74 crore, will be provided free of charge.
He emphasized that the industrious and resilient farmers of Punjab have played a pivotal role in ensuring the nation’s food security.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann assured that the state government stands firmly with the farmers during this challenging time, promising that every possible effort will be made to assist them.
The government will supply free wheat seeds to these farmers in preparation for the upcoming Rabi crop.
This initiative is a modest attempt by the state to alleviate the hardships faced by farmers due to the catastrophic impact of the floods.
CM Mann remarked that the extent of the devastation caused by these floods is both unimaginable and unprecedented, noting that Punjab has never experienced such extensive damage.
The floods have submerged over 2,300 villages, adversely affected more than 2 million people, and devastated crops over an area of five lakh acres.
Tragically, 56 lives were lost, and around seven lakh people have been left homeless. Additionally, 3,200 government schools were damaged, 19 colleges were destroyed, 1,400 clinics and hospitals were rendered unusable, 8,500 km of roads were obliterated, and 2,500 bridges collapsed.
According to preliminary estimates, the overall damage is estimated to be around Rs 13,800 crore, although the final figure could be even greater.