Punjab Farmers Get Big Relief After Floods: Remove and Sell Sand from Fields
In a major boost for farmers hit hard by recent floods, the Punjab government has rolled out a special one-time measure. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s cabinet approved this farmer-friendly policy on Monday, allowing people to clear sand and silt from their flooded fields and even sell it if they want. This comes as a huge relief amid the ongoing recovery from flood damage in the state.
The decision happened during a cabinet meeting chaired by CM Mann, who joined virtually from Fortis Hospital where he’s getting treatment. A spokesperson from the Chief Minister’s Office explained that heavy flooding has left thick layers of sand and silt in many fields across affected villages. "To help farmers bounce back, we’ve decided they can remove this material from their own land without any hassle. And yes, they can sell it too if they choose," the spokesperson said.
Under the catchy policy name "Jisda Khet, Usda Rait" – which means "the land owner owns the sand" – farmers in all flood-hit areas can now dig out sand from their fields freely. No permits needed, and this one-time action won’t count as illegal mining of minerals. They have until December 31 to get it done. Deputy Commissioners in each district will soon list the affected villages, so farmers, cultivators, and even groups can start the cleanup right away.
But that’s not all – the Punjab government is stepping up with compensation too. Farmers will get up to Rs 20,000 per acre for the damage, which the spokesperson called the highest in the country. "This shows our government’s full commitment to support Punjab’s farmers during this tough time," they added. It’s a timely move as the state deals with flood aftermath, helping boost agricultural recovery in Punjab.
On other fronts, the cabinet made some key urban development changes. They approved tweaks to the Punjab Town Improvement Act, 1922, so local bodies can tap into Improvement Trust funds through the Municipal Development Fund. This will speed up infrastructure projects funded by the state budget each year.
In a big anti-corruption step, the cabinet also greenlit prosecution against former Punjab Minister Bikram Singh Majithia under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Following the Advocate General’s advice, they’ll discuss it further in the council and then send it to the Governor for final approval.
Finally, the green light came for the Custom Milling Policy for the Kharif Marketing Season 2025-26. It kicks off on September 16, with paddy procurement wrapping up by November 30. These moves highlight Punjab’s focus on farmer welfare, flood relief, and smooth agricultural operations.
