NEW DELHI: In a major relief move for flood-hit farmers, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday announced a compensation of ₹20,000 per acre, the highest-ever relief package for farmers in India.
The scheme comes as thousands of farmers in Punjab struggle with crop losses and damaged fields after recent floods. The state government said it wanted to ensure that “no farmer feels abandoned in this time of crisis.”
According to official data, the new package surpasses compensation rates in other states: Haryana offers up to ₹15,000 per acre, Madhya Pradesh about ₹12,950, Gujarat ₹8,900, while Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan extend between ₹5,000–₹7,000 per acre. Punjab’s ₹20,000 benchmark is being described as “historic” and “unprecedented.”
In addition, the government announced financial aid of ₹4 lakh to families of those who lost their lives in the floods. Farmers have also been permitted to sell sand deposited in their fields by floodwaters, allowing them to earn quick cash and prepare for the next sowing season.
“The victory of farmers is the victory of Punjab,” Mann said, stressing that agriculture forms the backbone of the state’s economy. “This is not just about financial relief but about standing shoulder-to-shoulder with farmers in their darkest hour.”
Observers say the package sets a new benchmark for farmer welfare across India. With fields ruined and homes damaged, many farmers have welcomed the decision as a ray of hope, underscoring the state’s recognition of their struggles.
By positioning farmers at the centre of its recovery strategy, the Mann government has signaled that Punjab’s economic revival will begin with its fields, and those who till them.
