The Punjab government has decided to extend a compensation of Rs 20,000 per acre to flood-affected farmers for their damaged crops. A decision to this effect was taken at a state Cabinet meeting on Monday.
The Cabinet also approved the scheme “Jisda Khet, Usdi Ret”, whereby farmers will be allowed to extract and sell the sand that has accumulated in their fields after floods.
The Cabinet meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann online from a hospital in Mohali, where he was admitted after he complained of exhaustion and low heart rate.
In a video message after the meeting, Mann said, “We are giving permission to farmers to extract sand from their fields. If you want to sell sand or you want to use it for yourself, you can do so.” Farmers in flood-hit areas had expressed concern over the accumulation of sand in their fields. He said the compensation of Rs 20,000 per acre announced by the Punjab government was the maximum given by any state in the country. "Cheques of compensation will be handed over to farmers, he said.
Mann said Rs 4 lakh would be given to families who lost their family members in the floods. A survey of houses damaged in the floods will be conducted for providing financial assistance to the affected people, he added.
The CM said the time limit of debt repayment of farmers who had taken loans from cooperative societies and state agriculture banks has been extended by six months. "Till next six months, no instalment will be required to be paid and no interest will be added in it," he said, adding that the state government will provide financial assistance for loss of cattle, goats and poultry birds.
The government will also conduct a survey of government properties, including schools, colleges, electricity poles and grids that have been damaged in the floods.
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