Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today demanded immediate announcement of Rs 500 bonus on wheat, over and above the Minimum Support Price (MSP), in view of expected 20 per cent shortfall in wheat production due to intense heat wave in the month of March.
Badal, who was here to participate in a procession taken out on the occasion of Ram Navami, told reporters that the Punjab government was quite concerned over early maturity of wheat crop and expected weight and size loss of wheat grains due to 'once in a centaury' heat wave in the month of March.
He said that when the Punjab farmers were hoping for record crop, this unexpected twist in the climate had put the farming community in quandary.
"We are requesting the Union agricultural minister to immediately sanction Rs. 500 bonus to partially compensate farmers due to 20 per cent loss in production besides enhanced rate of diesel and fertilisers," he said adding that the Centre was also requested to sanction Rs 100 crore to Punjab Agriculture University (PAU) to promote Research and Development to develop heat resistant wheat crop seeds in view of global warming scenario.
Expressing concern over sudden increase in demand for power due to intense heat, Badal said that the Union Power Minster was being requested to allocate special quota of Power for Punjab agricultural sector to enable it to meet its commitment to national pool.
Later, Badal took part in the procession ceremony of Sri Ram Navami, which was arranged with great zeal under the guidance of Sri Ram Navami Utsav Committee and other religious, cultural, social and educational institutions.