Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal Urges Immediate Rs 50,000 Per Acre Compensation for Malwa Farmers After Hailstorm
In a strong appeal to the Punjab government, Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal has called upon Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to release an immediate compensation of Rs 50,000 per acre for farmers in the Malwa region. This demand comes in response to the recent hailstorm that devastated standing wheat crops, leaving agricultural communities in distress.
MP Criticizes AAP Government's Inaction Amid Farmer Crisis
Harsimrat Badal, who visited and interacted with affected farmers in the Bhucho constituency on Sunday, expressed deep concern over the situation. She stated that it is shocking and condemnable how the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has seemingly abandoned the farmers during this critical time. Despite the chief minister spending a night in the area, there has been no announcement of compensation to address the plight of the farmers, she highlighted.
The MP further pointed out that even after Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian visited certain fields to assess the damage, the administration has failed to swing into action to properly evaluate the crop losses. This lack of prompt response has exacerbated the farmers' woes, with many facing repeated financial setbacks over the past four years.
Historical Context and Government Promises Under Scrutiny
In her remarks, Harsimrat Badal drew attention to previous instances where the government's promises fell short. "The CM has previously boasted of compensating even hens and goats," she said, "yet, as in the past—when farmers received no compensation for paddy crops destroyed in last year's floods—the government now shows no inclination to compensate them."
This pattern of neglect, according to the MP, has left farmers in a state of despair. The recent hailstorm has only added to their cumulative losses, making the need for immediate financial support more urgent than ever.
Key Demands and Expected Government Action
The Bathinda MP has made a clear and specific demand: the government must provide compensation at the promised rate of Rs 50,000 per acre without further delay. This call to action emphasizes:
- Immediate release of funds to alleviate farmer suffering.
- Transparent assessment of crop damage across affected areas.
- Accountability from the AAP administration in fulfilling its commitments to the agricultural sector.
As the situation unfolds, farmers in the Malwa region await a decisive response from the state government, hoping for relief that matches the scale of their losses.
