24 April 2023, Punjab: Punjab Agriculture Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal last week held a meeting with the representatives of the Sanyukat Kisan Morcha at his office regarding agricultural issues. During the meeting, Dhaliwal ordered to Principal Secretary of the Agriculture Department to get the details of the farmers who have not received compensation for crop damage from the deputy commissioners by May 15 so that the compensation can be given to the farmers on time.
Dhaliwal directed the officials/employees of the Revenue Department and Agriculture Department to submit a report after a proper assessment of crop damage. He also assured the farmers’ representatives to raise the silo mandis issue with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann soon. Apart from this, the Minister informed the farmer representatives that he has already written to the union government regarding the difficulties faced by the farmers near the international border. The Farmer representatives said that it would be better if the land near the international border is acquired by BSF or the land owners must be allotted land in exchange elsewhere.
The Agriculture Minister informed the farmer representatives that the Punjab Government has already written to the Union Government to provide compensation to farmers whose animals died due to Lumpy Skin Disease. He also assured that no action would be taken on the warrants issued by the Land Mortgage Bank. He said that a new policy will be made soon to give ownership rights to the land-occupying farmers.
Regarding compensation of Rs. 5 lac each to the families of farmers who committed suicide, Dhaliwal said that at present no case is pending. He also assured that if any family has not received compensation in this regard, the farmer unions should make a list and send him so that Punjab Govt releases compensation as soon as possible.
