Sidhu pays ₹10 lakh from his pocket to farmers for crop loss
AMRITSAR : : : Punjab local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Wednesday paid ₹10 lakh from his own pocket to farmers from four villages in Rajasansi assembly whose wheat crop was gutted in fire in April. .
The crop over 117 acres at Othian, Jausan, Mohar and Dhariwal of Rajasansi was destroyed in a fire due to a short-circuit in the power line, affecting more than 50 farmers. Sidhu had then promised to compensate these farmers from his pocket. The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited will pay ₹8,000 per acre compensation to these farmers.
Sidhu also announced to pay ₹7 lakh compensation to other affected farmers from nearby villages in Rajasansi. These farmers had lost their wheat crop over 85 acres of land.
“When I became MP, I won by 16,000 votes in Rajasansi. I am grateful to them for their immense love,” the minister said. Administration officials said the minister has compensated a total of 141 beneficiaries.
When asked about the delay in delivering his promise and if it was a political stunt ahead of the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha bypoll, he said, “I was waiting for the government to release the compensation first. As these things are bound to take time, I decided to give my share. It is not a political stunt but I did it for my peace of mind.”
Sukhdev Singh, a beneficiary farmer from Jausan village, said, “I am thankful to Sidhu for his kind gesture. Though there had been a delay as I had to avail of a loan for next crop, I am happy that he helped us.”
CROP OVER 117 ACRES IN FOUR RAJASANSI VILLAGES WAS GUTTED IN APRIL DUE TO A SHORTCIRCUIT