Receding water level
in the border villages of Fazilka has brought relief to the flood-hit
villagers as the inundated paddy crop is becoming visible.
Decrease of around
two to three feet of water has raised hopes of the farmers of the area
and they feel that they may be able to retrieve some of their standing
crop. Around 90 per cent area under cultivation in these villages is
of Basmati Paddy.
"We wake additional
spray of necessary pesticides and fertilisers," said former Sarpanch
of Dholla Bhaini village Kundan Singh. "The Agriculture Department and
the Punjab Government should come forward to help us in retrieving our
crops by making on the spot survey and to assess the loss to prepare
the report for adequate compensation," demanded the flood-affected
farmers.
According to
sources, "So far, a paltry sum of about Rs 6 lakh has been received by
the administration to deal with the floods." On the other hand, Chief
Managing Director (CMD) of Powercom Engineer KD Chaudhary visited the
flood-affected villages in Fazilka on Friday and directed the
officials to ensure round-the-clock power supply to the affected
villages.
Former Punjab
Cabinet Minister Hans Raj Josan, after visiting the flood-affected
areas, has demanded that recovery of loans from the farmers should be
put on hold at least till the next crop. He has demanded a
compensation of Rs 40,000 per acre for the farmers whose crop has been
completely washed away, aid of Rs 1 lakh for damaged pakka houses and
Rs 50,000 for the collapsed kucha houses in the floods.
"Since the green
fodder has been destroyed, there is an acute shortage of fodder for
the cattle. The government should arrange green fodder from other
areas to prevent starvation of the cattle on priority basis," he
added.
