Kumari Selja, the former Haryana Congress Committee state president and current General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee, highlighted the ongoing distress faced by farmers under the state government’s tenure. She accused the government of consistently burdening and mistreating farmers, particularly in the delayed and incomplete compensation for crops damaged by heavy rainfall and floods five months prior. Out of 1.41 lakh farmers seeking compensation, only 34,511 have received it, revealing a discriminatory approach towards assisting affected farmers.
In a statement released to the media, Kumari Selja said that while the alliance government claims ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas’ without any discrimination, the ground reality shows otherwise. Five months ago, heavy rainfall and floods caused significant damage to crops, leaving the farmers in dire straits. They demanded compensation, for which the government kept making promises, conducted surveys through officials, and ultimately released compensation for only 34,511 farmers out of the 1.41 lakh who had demanded it. The government acknowledged damage in 99,039 acres, considering 25% damage in 49,842 acres, and released compensation. She said that the government should compensate every affected farmer. She said that the government was informed about the claimed damage to crops on 6.87 lakh acres. The government acknowledged damage in 16,444 acres (25-49% damage), 28,693 acres (75-100% damage), and 4,705 acres (50-74% damage). Selja said that the outbreak of pink bollworms on cotton crops, causing severe damage, and now no one is ready to buy the remaining produce. Economically shattered, the farmers are waiting for the government to announce compensation for the damaged cotton crops. The government has provided partial relief to the crops affected by floods, raising doubts whether the government will also exhibit favouritism in compensating damaged cotton crops. She insisted that the government should provide relief funds to all affected farmers without discrimination or regional bias. Selja said that on one hand, the BJP-JJP Alliance government claims to double farmers’ income, and on the other hand, it snatches their rights and pushes them into distress. If the government policies and approach continue to oppress the people, especially the farmers, then the BJP-JJP Alliance government will have to pay the price for it.