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Chandigarh: In the aftermath of the recent “April Cool” spell that brought unseasonal rain, hailstorms and strong winds across Punjab, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian on Wednesday said over 500 officials have been deployed to assess crop damage across seven affected districts.
The large-scale deployment is aimed at expediting the Special Girdawari (crop loss assessment) ordered by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, following widespread damage to standing wheat crop.
Providing details, the minister said the workforce includes 145 Group A agriculture officers who are monitoring operations in Amritsar, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Fazilka, Bathinda, Mansa, Ferozepur and Moga—districts that have reported significant impact due to the recent spell of adverse weather.
He said teams have been instructed to work in close coordination with the Revenue Department to ensure a smooth, transparent and time-bound assessment process, enabling quick disbursal of compensation to affected farmers.
Highlighting the extent of damage, Khudian said preliminary estimates indicate that wheat crop spread across more than 1.25 lakh acres has been affected due to rain and hailstorms triggered by the sudden weather shift.
“The Punjab Government stands shoulder to shoulder with farmers in this hour of crisis,” the minister said, assuring that compensation will be provided as per prescribed norms. “No stone will be left unturned to ensure that every affected farmer gets their due after final reports are submitted by Deputy Commissioners,” he added.
The minister also visited affected fields in Sri Muktsar Sahib district, reviewing ground conditions and interacting with farmers. He said the department is working on a war footing to complete the assessment exercise with accuracy.
Officials have further been directed to maintain constant contact with farmers and provide technical guidance to salvage the remaining crop, wherever possible.
The move comes amid growing concern among farmers across Punjab and neighbouring Haryana, where untimely rains and strong winds have raised fears of yield loss and quality deterioration in wheat just ahead of the harvesting season.
