Chandigarh (Haryana) [India], August 26 : The Haryana Vidhan Sabha on Tuesday witnessed a detailed discussion under a calling attention motion regarding the outbreak of disease in paddy crops across districts, including Karnal, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Ambala and Yamunanagar.
Legislators raised concerns over large-scale crop damage caused by the SRBSDV virus and pressed the government to announce compensation for affected farmers.
Congress MLA Aditya Surjewala said that the virus has severely damaged paddy crops, leaving farmers in distress. "The Agriculture Minister himself has admitted that crops in many districts have been damaged. Farmers who attempted re-sowing had to bear additional costs. Those who suffered 50 to 70 per cent losses must be compensated," he demanded, adding that the Union Agriculture Ministry has also conducted a survey on the issue.
He urged the state to form a dedicated committee to monitor crop diseases in Haryana.
Responding to the debate, Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana said that farmers should adopt the method of direct seeding of rice (DSR), as crops planted using this technique have remained mainly unaffected by the virus.
Explaining the disease, he said the virus sucks sap from plants, stunting their growth and leaving them underdeveloped. The minister informed the House that the disease was first reported in 2022 and has resurfaced in 2025. Scientists from CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, confirmed the virus and issued an advisory to farmers, with awareness campaigns held across districts.
Rana added that 235 awareness camps were organised, advertisements were issued in newspapers, and thousands of farmers were informed through outreach programmes, which helped limit crop losses. He clarified that, as per central government guidelines, compensation cannot be given for crops sown before June 15, as early paddy transplantation is prohibited in Haryana.
MLA Arjun Chautala questioned the government's claim of widespread awareness efforts and sought details of expenses incurred on the 235 awareness camps. He also asked for district-wise data on the percentage of crop damage, arguing that losses varied patch by patch rather than uniformly across districts.
Congress MLA Ashok Nagar insisted that since the government has admitted crop damage, a fresh survey should be conducted and farmers must be adequately compensated.
The discussion concluded with the government maintaining that Hisar Agricultural University, in coordination with the Centre, is monitoring the situation and preparing reports on crop damage.