DW BUREAU / Patiala/Chandigarh

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sondh visited the site of a fire that broke out in approximately 25 acres of wheat crop field near the village of Kaidupur in Nabha on Sunday. He interacted with local farmers and assured them of government support.

Minister Sondh assured the farmers that the Punjab Government would provide adequate compensation for the financial losses suffered due to the fire. He also inquired about the health of a farm labourer who was injured during the fire and promised that the Punjab Government would bear all the expenses for his treatment. He added that Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh personally spoke to PGI doctors to ensure the labourer receives the best medical care.

Sondh stated that the AAP Government is committed to the welfare of Punjab's farmers. He mentioned that the area's MLA and Cabinet Minister Dr. Balbir Singh could not visit due to his commitments in Amritsar. However, as soon as Dr. Balbir learned of the incident, he immediately called Sondh and asked him to visit the site. Dr. Balbir will personally visit the affected area and victim farmers upon his return from Amritsar.

Sondh highlighted that sudden weather changes, sparking from electrical wires, or carelessly discarded lit cigarettes can often cause fires in fields during this season. He assured the farmers that the Punjab Government stands with them and will ensure they do not suffer any losses.

The minister instructed the concerned administrative officials to survey the damage, prepare a list of affected farmers, and expedite the compensation process. He also emphasized the need for awareness campaigns in rural areas to prevent such incidents. These campaigns would ensure people remain alert and proactive safety measures are in place to address

natural disasters.

He further stated that the Aam Aadmi Party's government is a farmer-friendly government. Its goal is not just to provide relief but also to prevent such incidents in the future. Sondh directed the administration to conduct regular inspections of electrical wires and prioritize the installation of fire alert systems in areas lacking fire safety arrangements.

"The Punjab Government is determined to stand by its farmers, ensuring their safety and security while working to mitigate the impact of unforeseen disasters," Sondh concluded.

(editor@dailyworld.in)