Cabinet approves uniform rate of relief for damaged crops

Chandigarh, Feb 8 (UNI) The Punjab Cabinet today approved to grant uniform rate of relief for the loss of crops due to water logging or floods during the period between 2002-2007 at the fixed rate of Rs 1000 per acre per crop.

The decision was taken at its meeting presided by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here.

A spokesman of the Punjab Government said that the enhancement of relief would entail additional funds to the tune of more than Rs 1.97 crore for the districts of Muktsar, Faridkot and Tarn Taran.

It may be recalled that as a one time package of relief to the farmers, affected by the 'SEM' (Water Logging), earlier an amount of Rs 2.41 crore was sanctioned.

The Cabinet also decided to accord ex-post facto approval to the amended Memorandum of Understanding and to acquire and transfer 304.04 acres of land to the Joint Venture (JV) Company instead of 300 acres approved earlier for the development of International Civil Terminal at Mohali.

The cabinet also decided to accord its approval for the acquisition of land required for the approach roads to be separately notified for acquisition by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The Cabinet gave ex-post facto approval for relaxation in guidelines of Punjab Nirman Programme for signing a memorandum of understanding with Naandi Foundation for supply of potable water in Gidderbaha area.

The Cabinet also approved the Audit Reports, Finance Accounts and Appropriation Accounts for the year 2006-07, besides making amendment in the Punjab Revenue Patwaris (Class-III) services rules, 1966.

UNI VKJ VN2058