Rahul asks govt to give compensation for farmers affected by locust attack

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday (June 27) urged the government to grant compensation to states and farmers who have suffered damage to crops due to locust attacks.

“Locusts have destroyed crops in Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, UP, MP, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. The Government Of India must provide support to the states and farmers who have suffered this menace,” he said on Twitter.

Locusts have destroyed crops in Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, UP, MP, Gujarat and Maharashtra.

GOI must provide support to the states and farmers who have suffered this menace.https://t.co/rvjupzb4D8

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 27, 2020

His statement came amid reports of damage to crops by locust attacks in the northern states.

Meanwhile, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said an emergency meeting has been called to discuss the situation following the locust attack in Gurugram on Saturday.

The skies over many parts of Gurugram turned dark as swarms of locusts descended on the town, but the migratory pests are likely to spare the national capital for now, according to officials.

“The swarms moved from west to east. They entered Gurugram around 11.30 am,” K L Gurjar of the Locust Warning Organisation, Ministry of Agriculture said.

The pests, he said, were headed towards Palwal in Haryana.

(With inputs from agencies)