Punjab is reeling under devastating floods, with fields, homes, and barns submerged in water. Lakhs of acres of crops have been destroyed, leaving farmers in deep distress. Their pressing question is simple – “When will our losses be compensated?” Yet, the road to relief is far from easy. The reason lies in the state government’s refusal to implement the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), leaving Punjab’s farmers without an insurance safety net.
The Missed Lifeline: No PMFBY in Punjab
The root of the crisis lies in political stubbornness. First under Congress, and now under the Aam Aadmi Party, Punjab rejected PMFBY, claiming it would launch its own “Punjab Model” of crop insurance. More than two years have passed, but no such scheme has materialized.
For farmers like Gurmel Singh of Raikot, the betrayal is unbearable: “Our crops have drowned. How will we repay bank loans? If there was insurance, at least we would have received some relief.” Without crop insurance, farmers are left at the mercy of government compensation – a slow, bureaucratic process.
Centre Ready, But State Yet to Act
The Modi government has made its stand clear – funds are ready, but the Punjab government must first act. The Union Home Ministry has allocated ₹1,100 crore under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for Punjab this financial year. If losses exceed this, the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) is also available.
A senior official explained: “As soon as Punjab sends the correct assessment of losses and a relief proposal, additional aid will be released without delay.”
But the process hinges on the state government, which has yet to submit a complete damage report. Till then, farmers’ wait for compensation continues.
Farmer Leaders Missing in Action
Interestingly, the leaders who once spearheaded protests at Delhi’s borders are absent this time. Farmers feel abandoned.
Sukhwinder Singh from Moga expressed his frustration: “When there was a movement in Delhi, Rakesh Tikait ji came and stood with us. Now everything is drowned, but no leader comes. It looks like our pain is only useful for politics.”
The absence of these leaders has left many farmers feeling that their suffering has been sidelined for political convenience.
Opposition Attacks, State Defends
As expected, opposition parties have targeted the AAP government. BJP leader Tarun Chugh hit out sharply: “The Centre is standing with the farmers. Funds are available. But the state must first send the data and proposal. Farmers won’t benefit from mere rhetoric.”
Meanwhile, the Punjab government insists it is working. A senior official said damage assessments are underway and reports will be sent to Delhi soon. But for farmers, this “wait-and-watch” approach is too little, too late.
Agriculture experts are also calling for structural reform. Dr. Harpreet Singh notes: “Protests will not save farmers. They need a permanent disaster-protection mechanism. Without crop insurance, these tragedies will repeat year after year.”
The Ball Lies in Punjab’s Court
The tragedy of Punjab’s farmers is not just about floods—it is about systemic failure. Relief funds from the Centre are already available. But until the Punjab government completes its surveys and submits proposals, compensation will remain stuck in files.
Farmers are waiting not for sympathy but for action. Without insurance, without timely assessment, and without accountability, Punjab’s farming community will continue to drown in both water and debt. The Centre has kept its promise—now it is the state government’s turn to act decisively.
