‘Govt didn’t help farmers facing crop fire losses’

Senior BJP leader and former Cabinet minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi came down heavily on the state government, accusing it of turning a blind eye to the plight of the farmers whose crops and fodder were reduced to ashes in recent farm fire incidents.

Describing the government’s silence as “insensitive and unacceptable”, Sodhi said despite the tall claims of being farmer-friendly, the state government had neither provided compensation nor allowed the affected farmers to access their fields for the past several days. “Security restrictions are understandable, but what has the government done to support these farmers in the hour of need?” he questioned.

Sodhi announced that he would soon write to the Union government, requesting urgent relief funds for the affected farming families.

Highlighting another critical issue, Sodhi urged the district administration to send a formal proposal to the Union government for the construction of a bridge from Hussainiwala to Khunder Gatti village.

He said he would personally ensure the project got approved. “People from Gatti Rajo Ke, Khunder Gatti, Kalu Wala, Tendi Wala and nearby villages face severe hardships, especially during emergencies, due to the lack of direct connectivity. They’re forced to carry identity cards at all times just to cross the strategic Hussainiwala barrage. This bridge would be a permanent solution to their suffering,” Sodhi added.

Punjab