Seeking personal intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Wednesday demanded that farmers, who had suffered crop damage due to unseasonal rains, should be compensated by giving Rs.100 per quintal as bonus over the minimum support price (MSP) of wheat.In a letter to Modi, Badal pointed out that the MSP fixed for wheat procurement this year was only Rs.1,450 per quintal whereas the Punjab government had suggested that it should be Rs.1,900 per quintal.Badal said untimely rains and hailstorm in Punjab in February and March have caused heavy damage to the Rabi crops in about 3.48 lakh hectares. He said the rain has led to water-logging in the fields and strong winds have led to flattening of the standing crop which was on the verge of being harvested.
He said the exact damage to the crop and the area affected would be known later after revenue officials complete their survey.The chief minister said there was tremendous resentment among farmers who had suffered losses due to the damaged crops. He said the farmers should get the Rs.100 per quintal bonus for the harvested wheat that they bring for procurement so that the losses can be compensated to some extent.