100% relief sought for pink bollworm-hit growers in Punjab cotton belt

Chandigarh, September 21

Expressing concern over crop damage in the state due to pink bollworm infestation, AAP MLAs Kultar Singh Sandhwan and Prof Baljinder Kaur have asked new CM Charanjit Singh Channi to give 100 per cent loss compensation to affected farmers after assessment of the cotton belt.

They also demanded a high-level inquiry under the supervision of the High Court regarding the variety of Bt cotton seeds and pesticides.

In a statement today, the AAP leaders said as the time for sowing cotton had already ended, the government should compensate affected farmers for the crop loss.

They alleged the widespread pink bollworm attack in Bathinda, Mansa, Mukstar, Fazilka and other districts was similar to the 2015 white fly pesticide “scam”.

On the variety of Bt cotton seeds and pesticides, the AAP leaders said a probe must be conducted under the supervision of the High Court. — TNS