Whitefly: 25 pc Muktsar farmers yet to get relief

What figures say

• The district administration revealed that a total of Rs 95.18 crore was allocated to Muktsar district
• But Rs 23 crore is yet to be disbursed among cotton growers who suffered losses due to the whitefly attack

A file photo of cotton crop damaged by whitefly.

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, January 1

More than two months have passed since the state government started disbursing compensation to affected cotton growers, but nearly 25 per cent of them are yet to get relief in Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s home district Muktsar.

The figures procured from the district administration revealed that a total of Rs 95.18 crore was allocated to Muktsar district, but Rs 23 crore is yet to be disbursed among cotton growers who suffered losses due to the whitefly attack.

The Malout subdivision, which had suffered immensely, is lagging behind the other two subdivisions – Muktsar and Gidderbaha. A sum of Rs 60.04 crore was allocated for the Malout subdivision, but Rs 16.2 crore is yet to be disbursed. Similarly, for Gidderbaha subdivision, Rs 17.88 crore was allocated, but Rs 3.77 crore is yet to be released. For the Muktsar subdivision, Rs 17.26 crore was allocated, but Rs 3 crore is yet to be disbursed.

A subdivisional magistrate (SDM) claimed that the disbursement was a tough task, thus taking time. “We are trying to ensure that not even a single affected farmer is left out from the compensation process. Besides, the lists of farmers are being displayed at common places in villages, so that nobody has any objection,” he added.

When contacted, Kuljeet Pal Singh Mahi, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Muktsar, said, “I have asked all SDMs to complete the disbursement work at the earliest. Besides, I am now personally monitoring the disbursement work.”

Courtesy: The Tribune