The Punjab Government on Thursday approved amendment of instructions on relief to farmers for crop losses due to incessant and torrential rains.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the State Cabinet presided over by the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.
Many areas in Punjab
including Patiala and Mansa districts were swamped by the recent floods. "It was mandatory to amend these instructions in view of the loss caused to a farmer which varied from Rs 13,000 to Rs 28,000 per acre," read a recent official release about the Cabinet decision.
According to the amended instructions, crop damage relief was Rs 5,000 per acre for losses exceeding 75 per cent, Rs 3,000 per acre for losses between 50-75 per cent and Rs 2,000 per acre for losses between 25-50 per cent.
The relief would be provided irrespective of the maturity stage of the crop and whether the area can be re-sown or not, said the press release. The same would be extended to all farmers without any condition of small and marginal farmers, it added.
The upper area limit would also not be applicable on this relief, it further said.