New Delhi, December 06: Worrying over excessive crop damage citing the unseasonal rain conditions in Maharashtra, the state on Friday has revealed that the total area of crop damage, more than 33 per cent, due to unseasonal rainfall in the month by November, 2019, measures 94.53 lakh hectares, where approximately, 103.52 lakh farmers have been affected.
As per memorandum submitted by the State, 29 districts have drastically been affected by floods. "Primary responsibility for disaster management rests with the State Government. Central Government extends all possible logistics and financial support to the States to supplement their efforts to meet the situation effectively", the statement in reply to the state noted.
"The State Government undertakes assessment of damages and provide financial relief in the wake of natural disasters including floods, from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) already placed at their disposal. Additional financial assistance is extended from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) as per the laid down procedure, which includes an assessment based on the visit of an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT)", it added.
"In the instant case, even before the receipt of memorandum from Maharashtra, MHA constituted IMCT, which visited the affected areas of Maharashtra from 29th August to 1st September and again from 14th to 16th October for on the spot assessment of damages", it certainly noted.
Maharashtra has submitted memorandum seeking assistance of Rs 2110.62 crore from NDRF. Based on the interim report of IMCT, an interim amount of Rs.600 crore on account basis has been sanctioned. In addition, the Central share of SDRF amounting to Rs.676.125 crore has also been released for management of relief necessitated by notified natural disaster during 2019.