Wheat crop over 300 acres gutted in fire in Amritsar

Wheat crop spread over 300 acres was destroyed in a fire in Othian village here after a high tension wire snapped during a storm, leading to a short circuit.
Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar, Kamaldeep Singh Sanga said, "The crop spread over 300 acres was damaged after a high tension wire fell in a field due to a storm."
Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu today visited the village and announced a compensation of Rs 24 lakh to the affected farmers.
The MLA from Amritsar East said the farmers will be compensated at a rate of Rs 8,000 per acre.
"It adds up to Rs 24 lakh and I will pay from my personal funds. I do not want to put burden on the state exchequer," he said.