Punjab govt gives compensation to Trident agitation victim

Chandigarh, Aug 18 (UNI) The Punjab Government has begun giving relief to the victim farmers in the agitations against land acquisition for the Trident Group in Barnala.

A spokesperson of the Punjab Government said here today that the families of two farmers who lost their lives in the agitations had been paid Rs five lakh each while 34 farmers who were injured had been given compensation at the rate of 25,000 per head.

About the withdrawal of cases against the agitators, the spokesman said Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had already directed the Principal Secretary (Home) to expedite action on the issue.

The District Magistrate (DCs) concerned had been asked to process the cases for withdrawal through the District level committees setup for the purpose.

Similarly, the issue of providing jobs to the dependents of the deceased was also being actively processed in the government or suitable action on the issue would be taken expeditiously, said the spokesperson, adding, 'Every word of the commitments made to the farmers would be honoured in letter and spirit''.

''There is no question of a re-think or a back-track on any of the promises. The Chief Minister is personally monitoring progress on the follow-up to the understanding reaches with the farmers,'' he said.

UNI