BKU seeks compensation for fire-hit farmers

Chandigarh, May 2 (UNI) Blaming the Punjab State Electricity Board for the standing wheat crop loss due to fire incidents in the fields, Bharti Kisan Union (Rajewal) has urged the Punjab Government to give adequate compensation to the affected farmers.

In a memorandum presented to financial commissioner (Revenue) Romila Dube, BKU stated that all reports of crop loss due to electric sparking or short circuits, should be immediately collected from all the deputy commissioners of the state so that entire compensation process is completed within 10 days.

It also urged that all banks, cooperative institutions etc, pressing for recovery of loans should be directed to convert their loans into long term loans to defuse mental pressure of the farmers.

BKU said that it had taken up the issue of loose wires of power supply in the fields, over loaded transformers, feeders, grids with the PSEB, but the board had not taken any steps to improve the power supply system.

This had resulted in large number of incidents of fire in the fields in which thousands acres of wheat crops have been reduced to ashes, it added.

"It is a man made problem. It is not a natural calamity. PSEB is solely responsible for this loss and they should provide adequate compensation for the loss," BKU said.

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