Mann orders crop loss survey after rain, hail damage wheat

Chandigarh: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday ordered a special girdawari to assess damage to the wheat crop caused by recent unseasonal rains and hailstorms, saying compensation will be released as per norms after reports are received from deputy commissioners.Reports from across the Malwa belt suggest large-scale damage to ready-to-harvest wheat, with districts such as Bathinda, Mansa and Muktsar reporting losses of up to 80% in some villages.Replying to a query, Mann reiterated the govt's commitment to farmers, assuring that losses would be compensated.On the transfer of all 11 personnel of the Kot Shamir police post in Bathinda, he said the move followed complaints of inaction against drug peddlers. "We got to know that there were some black sheep in the police," he said, adding that the entire staff was shifted to address public suspicion of collusion. "There is zero tolerance as part of the campaign against drugs."Mann also dismissed suggestions from agriculture experts to replace power subsidy with direct benefit transfer (DBT), asserting that the current model would continue. He said increased canal irrigation had already reduced dependence on electricity-run tubewells.He appealed to farmers to plant at least four trees near their tubewells as a contribution towards improving air quality.BOX: ‘Mere dialogue': Mann on Chadha's ‘ghatak' remarkCM Bhagwant Mann dismissed Raghav Chadha's "Ghayal hoon isliye ghatak hoon" remark as "mere dialogue", quipping that Ghayal and Ghatak were two different films. He termed Chadha's allegations against AAP baseless, adding that party discipline requires adherence to the official whip.Past power deals under probe, says CM On power purchase agreements (PPAs) signed by previous govts, Mann said clauses causing financial losses to the state were being removed. Power minister Sanjeev Arora said the agreements were being honoured despite higher tariffs, while alleged irregularities were already under investigation.BOXES MP Sahney seeks Centre's relief package Amritsar: Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney has urged the Union govt to announce a special compensation package for Punjab farmers hit by unseasonal rains, hailstorms and strong winds.In a letter to Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Sahney said preliminary assessments indicate 30–70% crop damage across the state. With over 34 lakh hectares under wheat, the scale of losses is "immense".He added that the crisis is beyond the state's capacity alone, noting farmers are still recovering from the 2025 floods and many are yet to receive full compensation.Warring writes to Centre, slams state govtChandigarh: Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring has sought urgent intervention from Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for farmers affected by rain and hailstorms.Warring said large parts of Punjab, especially the Malwa belt, have suffered severe damage, with crops flattened beyond use even as fodder. Criticising the state govt, he said girdawari announcements alone would not help."The crop across entire fields is lying flattened. What is there to survey?" he asked, urging immediate interim relief instead of waiting for reports.Sukhbir seeks ₹50,000/acre aid, steps up outreachBathinda: Sukhbir Singh Badal has demanded ₹50,000 per acre compensation for farmers whose wheat crop has been damaged, accusing the state govt of failing to respond.Addressing a rally in Muktsar, he asked party workers to extend relief to affected farmers, recalling SAD's role during last year's floods."Just like the devastating floods last year when the SAD came to the rescue… I urge party workers to reach out and extend help," he said after visiting affected villages.