PATHANKOT: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal today demanded all farmer and ‘khet mazdoor’ loans in flood affected areas be waived off besides calling for immediate compensation for crop losses as well as losses occurring to houses, shops and other establishments.
The SAD president visited Kathlour and neighbouring areas in Bhoa constituency along the Ravi river which have borne the brunt of the floods in this district. During the course of his interaction with farmers he assured all help to strengthen bundhs besides clearing sand from their fields once the flood waters subside.
Asserting that the tragic inundation of lakhs of acres of land and mass scale destruction of standing crops was a fit case for a loan waiver, he said all bank and cooperative society loans of flood affected farmers and ‘khet mazdoor’ should be waived off immediately. He also expressed shock that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government had not released interim compensation for crop damage till now. He said those whose houses, sheds, shops and other establishments had been damaged by the floods should also be compensated immediately. He also visited the site where 100 to 150 shops and a ‘masjid’ had been swept away by flood waters. Getting visibly emotional, he said the SAD would help in the rehabilitation of the displaced persons.
Interacting with the SAD president members of the Majha Kisan Sangharsh Samiti said paddy crop in more than 500 acres had been damaged by flood waters and that 20 to 25 villages were endangered. Mr Sukhbir Badal while assuring to provide both manpower and resources, said the SAD would also take the ‘sewa’ for clearing sand from farmer fields once the floods subsided. “We will provide tractors, JCBs and laser levellers for this purpose”, he added.
Mr Badal said it was unfortunate that Punjab was facing a paralysis in governance due to an acute leadership crisis in the AAP government. “Punjab has lost all rights in the management of the Bhakra Beas Management Board due to the failure of the AAP government to protect its rights. Punjabis have been left to fend for themselves and have surmounted impossible odds to strengthen their bundhs on their owe. I salute the courage and bravery shown by our farmers in this hour of crisis”. Asking the farmers to stand strong, Mr Badal said “the SAD is with you and will do it’s utmost to waive off your debts once we assume power in 2027”.
Senior leaders including Gurbachan Singh Babehali, Ravi Mohan accompanied the SAD president.