Punjab Govt orders 'gardwari' to assess crop damage

Chandigarh, Apr 6 (UNI) Punjab chief minister Prakash Singh Badal today ordered a special 'girdwari' to assess the damage caused to the crops, particularly wheat following unseasonal rains and hailstorm in the state.

According to Media Advisor to the Chief Minister, Harcharan Bains, the Chief Minister would also meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar to seek a special package for the farmers in the state.

Mr Bains said that the state government had already sent out directions for special 'girdawari' in the state to assess the loss to the crops due to inclement weather conditions. He further said that the district heads had been asked to submit their detailed reports expedxitiously and the government's plan in this regard would be formalised after receiving reports from the Revenue Department in the state.

Meanwhile, the chief minister has assured the farmers that the government was committed to protect the interests of the farmers against natural calamities and would do every thing possible to compensate them for the losses suffered due to the current spell of unsessional rain and hailstorm in the state.

UNI HS MMS1845