Haryana: farmers in limbo, limitation of crop loss portal hinders claims

Parveen Arora

Karnal, March 5

The ‘Kshatipurti’ portal, which has been launched by the government to assist farmers in uploading the extent of damage to their crops due to the recent rain and hailstorm, has received criticism from the farming community. The portal’s limitation on the acres of land that can be reported is a major hurdle in determining the actual loss and providing compensation, the farmers said.

Fails to register damage on over 5 acres

I have cultivated wheat on 25 acres and due to the rain and hailstorm most of the crop has been damaged, leading to huge losses. I tried to upload the extent of damage I have incurred, but the portal failed to register crop damage on more than five acres. — Rajinder Choudhary, A farmer

As per the farmers, currently they can submit reports for losses on up to five acres only and as a result scores of farmers are unable to upload the extent of damage on their fields, brewing resentment among them. The farmers argued it prevented actual determination of damage sustained across the state.

“I have cultivated wheat on 25 acres and due to the rain and hailstorm most of the crop has been damaged, leading to huge losses. I tried to upload the extent of damage I have incurred, but the portal failed to register crop damage on more than five acres,” said Rajinder Choudhary, a farmer.

Similarly, several farmers in the Assandh block, the most-affected area by rainfall and hailstorm, have raised their concerns with authorities and submitted a memorandum to Assandh SDM, demanding the government to lift the limit of uploading crop losses up to five acres only. “We have suffered huge losses due to the rain and hailstorm. The government should allow farmers to upload the actual acres of land where they have suffered losses,” said Rajpal, another farmer. The government announced on Monday that the portal would be open for farmers to register their claims by March 15. On the other hand, the Opposition also raised the concern and demanded that the government should lift the limitation of five acres while uploading the extent of damage.

Assandh MLA and senior Congress leader Shamsher Singh Gogi said the government should redesign the ‘Kshatipurti’ portal by removing the cap of five acres. It should be implemented as per ‘Meri Fasal, Mera Byora’ portal and a physical girdawari in the presence of farmers, sarpanch or nambardar should be conducted. “If the government wants to compensate the farmers, it should lift the limit of five acres. Allowing farmers to upload the actual acres of land where they have witnessed losses would provide the government with accurate data. The government should compensate the farmers,” said Gogi.

Manish Yadav, District Revenue Officer (DRO), confirmed they had received a memorandum from the farmers through the Assandh SDM, which will be forwarded to the government for further action.