Punjab Government on Thursday released Rs643.58 crore as compensation for the farmers, who suffered substantial loss of cotton crop due to an attack from white fly and other pests in nine districts of the State.
The amount was released on the directions of the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to be distributed among cotton farmers as relief in the districts of Bathinda, Fazilka, Faridkot, Barnala, Mansa, Moga, Sangrur, Sri Muktsar Sahib, and ludhiana, said a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office.
Around 8,30,855 acres of cotton crop has been destroyed due to pest attacks in these districts and Rs643.58 crore has been released by the State Government. Out of this, Rs195.17 crore has been released from the State budget relief and Rs448.40 crore from State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF).