Fri Oct 10 22:03:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summary of the provided text, presented from an Indian perspective, suitable for “The Hindu” news outlet.
**Headline: Punjab Farmers Face Ruin After Devastating Floods, Accuse Government of Apathy**
**Gurdaspur/Amritsar, October 11, 2025:** Farmers in flood-ravaged districts of Punjab are facing economic devastation after unprecedented floods in August and September wiped out crops and rendered farmland unusable, with many accusing the central and state governments of inadequate and delayed assistance.
Across 2,614 villages, over 2 million people were affected, with 687,000 displaced by the severe flooding. While government data suggests around 200,000 hectares of farmland (less than 5% of the area sown during the kharif season) were affected, the reality on the ground paints a grim picture of widespread destruction and mounting debt.
Naseeb Singh, a farmer from near Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur, lost a significant portion of his 17 acres of land when a broken embankment created a deep pit and blanketed the remainder in silt. His estimated losses exceed ₹50 lakh, leaving him struggling to repay existing loans. Farmers in Amritsar and Gurdaspur echo similar stories.
The Punjab government has announced compensation of ₹10,000-₹20,000 per acre, but the funds are yet to reach those in need. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party claims this compensation is “unmatched” and promises swift action, but farmers remain skeptical, pointing to the lack of visible official support.
With extensive land restoration work needed and little money to start, many farmers face the prospect of missing the upcoming Rabi sowing season. Debt is a major concern, with many farmers borrowing from banks and local middlemen (aartiyas) at high interest rates to cover crop expenses.
Amidst government inaction, communities are stepping up to provide help. Volunteers from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh are working tirelessly, offering free labor to clear silt and repair damaged land. Gurdwara committees are also assisting with rebuilding embankments.
“The State and the Central governments have done nothing so far. The official machinery is completely missing from the ground. No compensation has been given yet. Only an announcement has been made; that too is too little,” said Baljit Singh Grewal, general secretary of the All India Kisan Sabha (Punjab unit). He emphasized the need for immediate cash compensation.
The floods have exposed not only the vulnerability of Punjab’s agricultural sector but also the urgent need for more responsive and effective government policies to support the backbone of the Indian economy in times of crisis.
First Piper 