The Haryana Revenue Minister, Capt. Abhimanyu, has dismissed the statement made by Bhupinder Singh Hooda, former Chief Minister, regarding irregularities in ‘girdawari’ for the estimation of crop losses, as ill founded and politically motivated. He said, “It is for the first time in the history of Haryana that special girdawari, on the basis of actual loss, has been conducted at a fast pace and in a transparent manner. Nationally, Haryana is giving the highest compensation to farmers. The BJP Government has stood by the farmers in their hour of crisis.” Capt. Abhimanyu dared Hooda to name the belt where irregularities have been committed. “The previous government had merely announced compensation, but done nothing. They paid no compensation for crops damaged due to heavy rains in October 2013, or for damages to crops due to a hailstorm in February and March 2014, or for the impact of drought in 2014. In contrast, the BJP Government has already released Rs 243.63 crores as compensation for the loss of crops; an unprecedented total amount of Rs 1,092 crores will be disbursed to farmers as compensation,” he added. “By relaxing the norms for entitlement to compensation, the Manohar Lal government has proven that it is pro-farmer. Some other decisions have also been taken for the welfare of farmers: these include waiving of tubewell electricity bills, interest-free crop loans and conversion of short-term loans into medium-term loans. Besides, it is for the first time in the history of the State that any government has waived off the payment of electricity bills for the impacted farmers,” he said. “The Congress remembers farmers only after losing power. It is a matter of great sorrow that some political leaders having vested interests are exploiting farmers for political gain. HJC supremo Kuldeep Bishnoi had alleged that the State government had given compensation of only Rs 20,000 in lieu of damage to crops over half an acre of land in Hisar district. “The district administration has repeatedly asked him to name the farmer who has been given Rs 20,000 for the loss on half an acre of land, but he has not disclosed the name,” countered Captain Abhimanyu.
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