CM reaches out to

NEW DELHI: Touting it as an important message for farmers across the country, chief minister Arvind Kejrwal on Saturday announced a compensation of `20,000 per acre for cultivators in Delhi whose crops were destroyed due to rain and hailstorms.

Termed as the highest compensation given by any state government, Kejriwal made the announcement among farmers at a rally in Mundka in west Delhi, at former Delhi CM Sahib Singh Verma’s memorial.

“As the loss to crops and farms has been huge, on behalf of the Delhi government, I want to announce a compensation of `20,000 per acre for all farmers,” said Kejriwal. His announcement was followed by cheer and applause from farmers.

“This is the highest ever compensation and with farmers committing suicide in different parts of the country, it was a must. This compensation is an important message to the entire country. I hope farmers across India will raise their voice and ask for their rights,” he said.

“We are not doing you a favour; this is your money, the tax you pay. The only difference is that earlier this money used to be stolen, now it is being used for your development,” the CM added. As he spoke, Congress supporters assembled to protest outside the venue. They were rounded up by the police and taken away.

Kejriwal attacked the BJP for the Land Acquisition Act and the Congress for not having worked for the farmers’ development during its 15-year tenure. He visited villages in Bawana to take stock of the loss and the ground situation.

Explaining the way compensation would be distributed, he said it would happen in the presence of a panchayat session chaired by the area MLA.

“I had a discussion with my divisional commissioner to