Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has called for urgent compensation for farmers who have suffered massive crop losses due to continuous rain and hailstorms. He criticised the BJP-led government, accusing it of making empty promises while failing to provide relief to affected farmers.
Hooda highlighted that 12 districts in Haryana have been severely impacted, with wheat and mustard crops bearing the brunt of the damage. "The standing wheat crop has been completely destroyed, and mustard crops have also fallen. Additionally, fodder, vegetables, and onions have suffered significant losses," he stated.
He urged the government to immediately conduct Girdawari (crop loss assessment) and ensure timely compensation, instead of offering mere assurances.
Government failed to act on previous crop damage
The Congress leader recalled that a similar disaster struck farmers in January, when hailstorms caused extensive damage to crops. "At that time, the government announced Girdawari after Congress raised the demand, but neither was the assessment conducted, nor was compensation disbursed," Hooda alleged.
He pointed out that 5,299 farmers from 1,763 villages had uploaded details of 2.6 lakh acres of damaged crops on the compensation portal. However, 2.03 lakh acres of these claims are still pending verification, leaving farmers without any relief.
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Sharp decline in crop insurance payouts
Hooda also criticised the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, calling it a scheme that benefits insurance companies rather than farmers. He cited government data presented in Parliament, which revealed a 90 per cent drop in insurance claim payments in just one year.
"In 2022-23, Rs 2,496.89 crore was paid to farmers under the scheme. However, in 2023-24, this amount plummeted to just Rs 224.43 crore. This drastic reduction is like rubbing salt on the wounds of farmers," he said.
He accused private insurance companies of profiteering at the expense of farmers, stating that the scheme has become a tool to fill corporate coffers while neglecting those who need support the most.
Demands for immediate government action
Hooda demanded that the Haryana government:
- Conduct Girdawari without delay and fairly assess farmers' losses.
- Provide adequate compensation instead of issuing false assurances.
- Ensure fair implementation of the crop insurance scheme so that farmers receive their rightful claims.
He warned that if the government continues to ignore farmers' plight, it will face growing unrest among the farming community.
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