Sidhu to pay Rs 2400,000 to distressed farmers

AMRITSAR: Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu has announced a compensation of Rs 2400,000, from his own pocket to some farmers who suffered heavy losses after their crop was damaged by devastating fire. Sidhu made the announcement, after he visited the Othian village where wheat crop spread over 300 acres was destroyed in a devastating fire. Sidhu announced that the farmers will be compensated at a rate of Rs 8,000 per acre. “I understand this is not enough, and this is the reason I have come here today. To further compensate the farmers as I feel their pain, I will give the same amount out of my own pocket. It adds up to Rs 2400,000 and I will pay from my personal funds. I do not want to put burden on the state exchequer,” he said.