Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, November 5

As per the revenue records, not even an acre of agricultural land is left infertile due to waterlogging in Muktsar.

Notably, Muktsar is considered one of the worst-affected districts from waterlogging and the state government used to give Rs 3,000 per acre per crop season to the farmers unable to sow any crop on their once-fertile land.

However, in the past five years, not even a single penny of compensation has been given to any waterlogging-affected farmer in the district.

Muktsar District Revenue Officer Balkaran Singh said: “We had last disbursed the compensation for three crop seasons of 2015 and 2016. Thereafter, there has been no demand for compensation from any subdivision. Once we get the demand, we will verify it and seek funds from the higher-ups. As per our records, now no agricultural land is left infertile due to waterlogging in the district.”

On the other hand, Muktsar Chief Agriculture Officer Gurpreet Singh said: “The assessment and disbursal of compensation does not come under our purview, but agricultural land has been left infertile due to waterlogging in the district. The farmers are unable to sow any crop on such land. I have seen such land at Midda village. It is there in some other villages too. If the revenue department needs our assistance, we may help them in preparing a field report.”

The last compensation to the farmers for their land rendered infertile was given in 2018. The relief amounting to Rs 72 lakh was given to the farmers in Muktsar subdivision, Rs 35.53 lakh in Malout subdivision and Rs 16.96 lakh in Gidderbaha subdivision.

Meanwhile, panchayat samiti member Maninder Singh said: “Earlier, there was a vast piece of agricultural land left infertile in Charewan village here, but now the farmers have reclaimed their land and are growing crops. Their yield may be lesser than previous years, but we can’t say the land is infertile.”

No compensation sought after 2018

}We had last disbursed the compensation for three crop seasons of 2015 and 2016 in 2018. Thereafter, there is no demand for the compensation from any subdivision. Balkaran Singh, muktsar District Revenue Officer (DRO)