Chandigarh, March 8 (IANS) With unseasonal rain damaging the standing wheat crop in several areas of Punjab, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Sunday sought compensation for the farmers from the central government.
Expressing concern over the major losses caused to the crops due to the recent rains in the region, Badal sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personal intervention for upward revision of the compensation to the affected farmers at a rate of Rs.10,000 per acre.
Badal said the present norm of Rs.3,600 per acre compensation for 100 percent loss was too little as it did not even provide for the input cost incurred by the farmers.
In separate letters to the prime minister and union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh, he said crops had been damaged in several parts due to the erratic rain.
"Punjab and its neighbouring states have experienced widespread rains over the past few days... the average rainfall was about 42 cms on March 1 and 2.
"Although rains at this point of time should be good for the standing wheat and other Rabi crops, unfortunately the intensity and frequency of rains, coupled with high speed winds and hailstorms, have caused substantial damage to the crops and impaired the livelihood of a large number of farmers," Badal said.
He said initial reports had indicated that cultivated area of over seven lakh acres had been affected.
The chief minister pointed out that the damage was much higher in the case of vegetables and other horticulture crops.
"The Rabi 2014-15 crops were almost ready for a good harvesting season and the farmers have now incurred almost full input cost in raising these crops," he said, adding that the farmers should not only be compensated for the input costs but also loss of livelihood.
ED Attaches PFI Accounts: ED attaches bank accounts of PFI, action in money laundering case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday said it has attached Rs 68.62 lakh of money laundering charges belonging to Islamic outfit PFI and its forward organization Rihab India Foundation. The
Powerful Hindi of Amitabh's granddaughter: Like grandfather, Aaradhya's Hindi is also excellent, won hearts by reciting poetry; Fans said - the tradition continues
The poems of Harivansh Rai Bachchan, father of Big B Amitabh Bachchan of the film industry, are still on people's lips. Amitabh also keeps showing respect to his father by singing these poems again
Nubia Red Magic 9 Pro: New gaming phone launched with a 6500mAh battery and up to 16GB RAM, check the price and features
Nubia has launched Red Magic 9 Pro in China only last month. After China, this phone has now been introduced to the international market. Nubia Red Magic 9 Pro phone is a phone brought with Octa-Core
India-Aus FTA: India-Australia trade deal will create one million jobs, said- Piyush Goyal
India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, which will spur manufacturing, especially in the textiles, gems, jewelery, and pharmaceutical sectors. Union Minister Piyush Goyal has said
Lok Sabha Elections: BJP's political agenda changed by the time Haryana arrived, Congress's emphasis on local issues.
While the BJP had its agenda during the nearly two-month-long election campaign in Haryana, Congress emphasized local issues. The political agenda of BJP, which entered the Lok Sabha elections with
China Economy: A market condition in China is bad, foreign investors are preparing to exit
After five years of the ruling Communist Party's conference in China, the stock market there has seen a big decline. According to media reports, foreign investors can sell massively in the coming time
Why did India and Pakistan come on a line in the UN over Russia?
In the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), a resolution condemning the attack on Ukraine against Russia was passed by a vote of 141-5.
Talking about investing: During the Russia-Ukraine war, you can also protect your investment portfolio in these 4 ways
The Russo-Ukraine war was initially anticipated that would end in just four-five days. But now it looks like this struggle will go on for a long time. Meanwhile, the scope of Western countries'
The President of Ukraine, saddened by not giving up with the US, said – we were fighting alone yesterday and are still alone
Russia's attack on Ukraine continues. According to Ukrainian media reports, Russia has surrounded Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is saddened by the lack of
WI vs AFG Highlights: The Windies team registered a win by 104 runs, pushing Afghanistan to second place in the points table
The 40th match of T20 World Cup 2024 was played between West Indies and Afghanistan today. This was the last match of the group stage. Super-8 will start on June 19. Afghanistan and West Indies have