Raghav Chadha writes to FM Sitharaman, seeks special package for farmers

Rupnagar, April 8: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP and national spokesperson Raghav Chadha on Saturday wrote a letter to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and demanded to provide a special package for farmers affected by the unseasonal rains, hailstorms and heavy winds.

Taking to his Twitter handle, AAP leader Chadha wrote, "I'm writing to draw your attention towards the plight of the farmers in Punjab. Rain, high-velocity winds and hailstorm reported in the state in the state since March 24 have impacted at least 14 lakh hectares (40 per cent) of 34.9 lakh hectares of wheat sown in Punjab during the Rabi season, leaving our farmers, devastated. The unseasonal rains have adversely affected the yield and the quality of the standing wheat crop."

Sharing his experiences of meeting with farmers, “It was heartbreaking to listen to the grief of farmers, who work hard to put food on our plates, but will now find it difficult to feed their families.”   

For those inspecting, loss of crop may well be just a matter of records and statistics, he added.

Raghav Chadha further stated in the letter that, "Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann has enhanced the relief amount from Rs 12,000 per acre to Rs 15,000 for loss to crops. Acting swiftly based on initial sampling, additional steps such as the relaxation of uniform specifications for procurement of wheat as mandated by DFPD have also been taken to help our farmers." 

Emphasising on Punjab’s farm, farmers and food and stated that, Punjab is the country's food bowl, and farmers are the backbone ot our economy. Our farmers have contributed immensely to agriculture, helped our country become self-reliant in food and ensured food security through drought and natural calamities. it is deeply concerning and heartbreaking that those who toil day and night to provide us with food are now facing a crisis that is making it difficult for them to feed their families. The centre should also step in to help Punjab's farmers in their time of need. 

He further said, "The farmers have asked me to send you a sample of the withered crop to give you a glimpse of the situation on the ground which I am attaching herewith."

"I urge you to take immediate action and consider providing a special package to Punjab to ensure further compensation to the farmers for their losses," he added in the letter. 

Raghav Chadha visited various farms of Punjab and interacted with the farmers and took stock of the damaged crops.