The Punjab Cabinet on Monday approved compensation for farmers cultivating government-owned land who suffered heavy losses during the devastating floods that hit the state in August–September last year.
The decision is expected to benefit hundreds of farmers in the border districts of Punjab where large areas of agricultural land were affected by floodwaters.
Three-Member Committees to Assess Damage
To ensure transparency and accurate verification, three-member committees will be formed in all flood-affected villages of Amritsar, Ferozepur, and Fazilka.
Each committee will include:
- The concerned Patwari
- The village Numberdar
- The Sarpanch (or their representative)
These committees will verify the actual cultivators of the land and ensure that eligible farmers receive appropriate compensation for the damage caused by the floods.
Thousands of Acres Under Cultivation
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated that farmers are cultivating approximately:
- 2,800 acres in Amritsar
- 5,200 acres in Ferozepur
- 3,000 acres in Fazilka
He explained that since 1976, this land has been under government ownership, while farmers have continued cultivation. In 2015, revenue records were reportedly altered, officially recording the state government’s name in the ownership column.
Calling Punjab a welfare state, Cheema emphasized that it is the government’s duty to compensate farmers who suffered severe losses due to natural disasters.
Relief for Affected Farmers
The Cabinet’s decision aims to provide financial relief to farmers who were left struggling after the floods destroyed standing crops. The move is being seen as a significant step toward supporting cultivators working on government land, especially in border districts vulnerable to flooding.
The compensation process is expected to begin after verification by the designated committees.
