LUDHIANA: Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan visited Ludhiana on Wednesday marking his second visit to Punjab after the recent floods. He was accompanied by Union Ministers of State Bhagirath Chaudhary (Agriculture and Farmers Welfare) and Ravneet Singh Bittu (Railways and Food Processing), along with Punjab Cabinet Minister Gurmeet Singh Khundia, at ICAR’s Mecca Institute in Ladowal.
During the visit, Chouhan inaugurated the new building of the ICAR Mecca Institute after reciting verses. He handed over financial aid of ₹1.60 lakh per house for 36,703 damaged homes to Minister Gurmeet Singh Khundia.
The Union Minister announced ₹74 crore for wheat seeds and ₹3.40 crore for mustard cultivation. He said compensation would also be provided for damaged orchards after the state government assesses the losses. “The central government will extend support to farmers to clear the debris from their fields. All Union ministers will contribute funds under their respective departments,” he added.
Chouhan urged BJP workers to monitor the construction of houses being rebuilt with central assistance. He said the Punjab government had submitted the list of damaged houses late on Sunday night, following which the funds were released immediately. Each household will receive ₹1.20 lakh for rebuilding and ₹40,000 for wages and toilets.
Highlighting the importance of self-reliance, Chouhan said, “The nation will progress only when we adopt Buy Swadeshi.” He added that promoting maize cultivation would not only protect the environment but also increase farmers’ income.
