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Chandigarh, Nov 17 (IANS) Punjab BJP spokesperson Preetpal Singh Baliawal on Monday wrote a letter to Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, drawing attention to the grave negligence of flood-affected farmers of Sahnewal in Ludhiana district, who are yet to receive their promised compensation.
Baliawal highlighted that villages like Sasrali, Boothgarh Banjara and Sasrali Colony faced large-scale destruction during the recent floods caused by the swollen Sutlej river.
He said farmers not only lost their standing crops but large parts of agricultural land were also washed away.
In the letter, Baliawal reminded the Chief Minister of his September 12 announcement in which he had assured that all flood-affected families would get compensation before Diwali.
“However, even after more than a month has passed since Diwali, most of the victims are still waiting,” he said.
Baliawal said that 77 farmer families of Sahnewal town have not received even a single rupee of compensation so far. He criticized the Aam Aadmi Party government for turning the compensation drive into a “photo-op exercise” while the real victims are facing hardship and uncertainty.
“The government made big announcements, but farmers got nothing on the ground. Their tragedy was met with false promises and no real relief,” Baliawal said.
He appealed to the Chief Minister to immediately intervene and ensure that the compensation is deposited into the bank accounts of all pending beneficiaries without any delay.
Along with his letter, Baliawal has also submitted the complete list of 77 affected farmer families to the Chief Minister for immediate action.
“The pain of these farmers is real and deep. They deserve justice, not delay,” Baliawal said.
The state Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, had last month approved increasing crop loss compensation to farmers to Rs 20,000 per acre.
The relief amount was increased to Rs 10,000 per acre for crop loss of 26-75 per cent, Rs 20,000 per acre for crop loss of 76-100 per cent and Rs 40,000 per unit for partially damaged houses from the existing Rs 6,500.
–IANS
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