Chandigarh: The Punjab government on Saturday announced releasing a sum of over Rs 416 crore to compensate cotton growers for their crop loss due to pink bollworm pest attack.
Pink bollworm attack had caused extensive damage to cotton crop in Mansa, Sangrur, Bathinda, Sri Muktsar Sahib and Barnala districts.
Revenue and Rehabilitation Minister Aruna Chaudhary said to compensate affected farmers, the government is releasing an amount of Rs 416 crore.
Of this amount, 10 per cent would be given to the cotton picking workers as relief. The compensation amount will be transferred to the accounts of Deputy Commissioners before Diwali and the respective district administrations will then directly transfer the amount to the bank accounts of farmers.
Chaudhary, accompanied by Agriculture Minister Randeep Singh Nabha, while addressing the media here said the state government stands firmly with the farmers and every step will be taken for their welfare. —PTI

Press Trust of India