Punjab Farmers Protest Against "Hiked" Compensation of Rs 15,000/acre for Crop Loss

On Saturday, a group of 32 farmers' unions in Punjab gathered in Barnala to express their strong disapproval of the AAP government's characterization of the compensation of Rs 15,000 per acre for 75-100 percent crop loss as "hiked" compensation.

The farmer unions have declared their intention to encircle the offices of agriculture officials on April 6 and 7 to protest the delay in girdawari, as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had promised in its manifesto to provide compensation of Rs 20,000 per acre to farmers similar to the Delhi government.

The BKU Dakaunda (Dhaner), a farmers' union not associated with the 32 other unions in Punjab, announced a gherao on April 6 at Dreamland Colony in Sangrur, where Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann is currently renting a residence. The union is demanding compensation of Rs 50,000 per acre for crop damage.

According to Jagmohan Singh Patiala, the general secretary of BKU Dakaunda, the compensation issue goes beyond just the recent protests. In 2021, the cotton crops in Malwa, Punjab, were attacked by pink bollworms. The then-chief minister, Charanjit Singh Channi, announced compensation of Rs 15,000 per acre in late October, claiming that it had been increased from Rs 12,000 per acre.

However, this amount was insufficient for the farmers, leading to a meeting between Channi and the farmers' unions in November 2021. During this meeting, the compensation was increased to Rs 17,000 per acre in the event of a 75-100% crop loss. Therefore, Jagmohan Singh Patiala fails to comprehend the basis for the "hike" in compensation claimed by the Bhagwant Mann government.

Malwa districts were the worst affected as a result of the hail storm and rains that devastated the crops there, which were about to reach the ripening stage. Moreover, heavy rain continued in various areas of Punjab even on Saturday.

Almost 13 lakh hectares of crops have been impacted by the rain, and it is predicted that 50,000 hectares will have completely failed. The impacted area is anticipated to grow further as a result of the state's high rains this weekend. Agricultural officials should finish girdawari by April 15 since Mann would probably provide the first compensation check to farmers on that date.