PANAJI
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Goa has strongly criticised the State government for its alleged inaction in addressing the plight of farmers whose paddy fields in the Saligao and Aldona constituencies have been severely affected by flooding.
A delegation led by AAP Goa Vice President Chetan Kamat and senior leader John Fernandes visited several flood-hit areas on Thursday, where they met farmers struggling with massive crop losses due to persistent rains and waterlogging.
“Large stretches of fields are still submerged in knee-deep water,” the party stated in its press release, adding that farmers have expressed deep frustration that no agriculture officer has visited their fields yet to assess the damage.
Kamat called for immediate and meaningful intervention, saying, “Mere announcements won’t work — the government needs to speed up the process of giving compensation to farmers. This is the second consecutive year that fields have been destroyed, and a small compensation of Rs 40,000 per hectare won’t be enough to cover the losses. Farmers need real help, not just sympathy.”
Fernandes echoed the urgency, stating that the farmers are in despair.
“The government must give strict orders to the Agriculture Department and ensure that officers immediately visit the affected fields. The compensation process must be expedited — people’s livelihoods depend on it,” Fernandes said.
The AAP leaders accused the BJP-led government of a slow and indifferent response, warning that farmers cannot afford to wait for months while their crops rot in the fields.
“The government’s delay is destroying their morale and their future,” Kamat said, adding that his party stands firmly with the farmers of Goa and will continue to fight until farmers receive fair and timely compensation.
