Punjab Speaker Sandhwan urges farmers to guard wheat crops against fire, seeks immediate damage report
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, April 14, 2026: Kultar Singh Sandhwan has appealed to farmers across Punjab to remain vigilant and adopt preventive measures to protect standing wheat crops from fire incidents, especially during the ongoing harvest season.
Expressing deep concern over recent fires in Sandhwan village and Kothe Gajjan Singh, Sandhwan said significant crop loss has been reported, with nearly eight acres damaged in Sandhwan and around ten acres in Kothe Gajjan Singh.
He has directed the SDM Kotkapura to submit a detailed report on the losses and ensure that compensation to affected farmers is processed without delay.
Highlighting the causes behind such incidents, Sandhwan pointed to rising temperatures, strong winds, electrical short circuits, and negligence such as careless use of bidis or cigarettes in fields. He warned that poor road connectivity in some rural areas can delay emergency response, making local preparedness crucial.
The Speaker advised farmers to take precautionary steps, including early harvesting of crops near transformers, ensuring availability of water in fields, keeping spray pumps and firefighting equipment ready, and forming village-level teams to respond quickly in case of fire. He also stressed the importance of maintaining alertness and avoiding negligence during the harvesting period.
Sandhwan said that collective awareness and timely action can significantly reduce the risk of such incidents and help safeguard farmers’ hard-earned crops.