AAP National Media Incharge Anurag Dhanda launches a scathing attack on the BJP government over the lack of compensation for farmers in Haryana
Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): Senior Aam Aadmi Party leader and National Media Incharge Anurag Dhanda issued a statement on Monday, launching a scathing attack on the BJP government in Haryana over flood relief. He said, “While the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab created history by standing with the farmers and providing compensation of ₹20,000 per acre in a record 30 days, the farmers in Haryana received neither relief nor compensation, nor was the Girdawari work completed on time.
Anurag Dhanda said that during the floods in Haryana, 5.30 lakh farmers, 6,395 villages and about 31 lakh acres of cultivable land were affected, but till now the farmers have not received even a single rupee in compensation. Girdawari work on 15,834 acres in 8 districts is still incomplete. “Despite such huge losses being recorded, the BJP government remained idle. This exposes Chief Minister Naib Singh's utter failure and his insensitivity towards farmers," he said.
Anurag Dhanda said that the BJP government insulted farmers by announcing compensation of only ₹15,000 per acre, while the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab not only announced compensation of ₹20,000 per acre but also transferred the relief amount to farmers' bank accounts within a record 30 days. "The difference in the functioning of the two state governments is clearly visible. Punjab held the farmers' hand, while Haryana left them to fend for themselves," he said.
He sharply criticized Chief Minister Naib Singh, saying, "The Chief Minister neither sees the farmers' pain nor the difficulty of selling their crops at MSP. The fields have been devastated by the floods, the crops are ruined, compensation has not yet been received, and the Chief Minister is busy pleasing his central leadership. This is a blatant betrayal of the farmers."
Anurag Dhanda said that the Bhagwant Mann government in Punjab demonstrated farmer-friendly governance through transparent and swift action. Special surveys began on September 11th, and despite a target of 45 days, compensation distribution began on the 30th day. Crop damage was recorded in 2,508 villages in Punjab, and compensation was issued at the rate of ₹20,000 per acre for approximately 3.5 lakh acres of affected land. Relief funds are also being provided transparently for damage to homes and livestock.
Dhanda said, “This is a difference of intention. In Punjab, farmers received their dues on time, while in Haryana, farmers are simply waiting. Neither the land survey has been completed nor the payments have been made. Farmers are crying out in distress, while the BJP government is busy playing politics.”
He appealed to the farmers of Haryana to speak out against this injustice and hold the anti-farmer BJP government accountable. “If the BJP government has any shame left, it should apologize to the farmers and immediately release the relief funds. Farmers should receive their rights, not make unrealistic announcements.”
Anurag Dhanda concluded by saying that the Punjab model has proven that a transparent and sensitive government can bring about change for farmers. “The farmers of Haryana should also now demand answers from this incompetent, incompetent, and anti-farmer government.”