Sukhbir Badal, the President of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), has called upon Punjabis to stand together in support of farmers facing crop damage spanning over 1.25 lakh acres due to unexpected rain and hailstorms. Badal, after a meeting with the party’s local leaders, announced a comprehensive strategy to commence the distribution of wheat, dry, and green fodder to the affected farmers post-April 20. The party is setting up collection points for relief materials, which will then be distributed in the affected areas.
Moreover, the party is arranging for balers to assist affected farmers in creating bales in their fields at no cost, enabling them to generate additional income. Sukhbir Badal emphasized that efforts would also be made to aid small farmers whose vegetable crops suffered from hail damage. Criticizing Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for allegedly neglecting the farmers’ plight, Badal highlighted the unfulfilled promises of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government regarding compensation for crop losses.
He accused the AAP government of failing to provide compensation for crop damage caused by floods affecting 4 lakh acres the previous year. Badal expressed disappointment over the government’s refusal to assist distressed farmers by releasing compensation to them. He pledged the Akali Dal’s unwavering support for farmers and criticized AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal for allegedly spreading misinformation during election campaigns in Gujarat about compensation being provided promptly to Punjab farmers.
