Maharashtra to release Rs 313 Cr for farmers affected due to unseasonal rains and hailstorms

NewsBharati    05-Mar-2018
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Mumbai, March 5: Maharashtra to release around Rs 313 Crores to help the farmers who were affected due to unseasonal rains and hailstorms. According to Revenue Department, standing crops on 2,93,289 hectares of land, spread over 19 districts, were affected by the last month's unseasonal rains and hailstorms. 

The state government has given an administrative nod to release nearly Rs 313 Crores from the state disaster response fund (SDRF) for farmers whose crops were damaged in the recent unseasonal rains and hailstorms.

"The government has sent a memorandum to the Centre seeking a financial assistance of Rs 2,400 Crores collectively for pink bollworm (a pest) attacks on cotton crops and damage to crops caused by hailstorms and unseasonal rains," said Agriculture Minister Pandurang Fundkar.

He said the amount sanctioned for farmers affected by hailstorms and unseasonal rains will be provided on an urgent basis and as per the SDRF norms. Once the required funds are sanctioned by the Centre, this amount will be adjusted against the money taken from the SDRF, Fundkar said.

As per the data, Rs 139 Crores would be required for affected farmers in Amravati division, Rs 130 Crores in Aurangabad, Rs 42 Crores in Nagpur and Rs 96.72 lakh in Nashik division.

"The government has told the district collectors it will be mandatory for them to conduct 'panchnama' (site inspection) for agricultural fields that have suffered losses of more than 33%," the Revenue Department official said.

The maximum compensation will be provided for two hectares, he said. The collectors have also been directed to ensure the relief amount is directly deposited into the accounts of farmers and banks do not undertake any loan recovery exercise, the official said.

Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar has said, "The BJP government has given the first right on the treasury to farmers." Further, he said 2.55 Crores people in the state are directly or indirectly connected to the agriculture sector.