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Naveen Patnaik announces Rs 1600 crore package for cyclone-affected farmers
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday announced Rs 1,600 crore package for livelihood support for farmers, fishermen and women self help group members
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday announced Rs 1,600 crore package for livelihood support for farmers, fishermen and women self help group members of the state affected by cyclone Fani.
Patnaik said farmers would get agriculture input subsidy of Rs 6,800 per hectare of land in non-irrigated areas, Rs 13,500 per hectare of land in areas under assured irrigation and Rs 18,000 per hectare for all types of perennial crops. The cyclone has affected crops in over 1 lakh hectare area.
As per the package, an incentive of Rs 15,000 per farmer will be provided to each betelvine farmers. Similarly, an amount of Rs 40,000 per unit will be given to each mushroom farmer for construction of shade net or thatched structure. For banana farmers, an incentive of Rs 25,000 per hectare will be provided.
The package came a day before an inter-ministerial team from Delhi lands in Odisha to assess the damages caused by cyclone Fani. An inter-ministerial central team-led by Ministry of Home Affairs joint secretary Vivek Bhardwaj will reach Odisha on May 12 evening to conduct field inspection of the affected areas between May 13 and May 15.
Also Read | Cyclone Fani survivors block road in Odisha to protest lack of electricity
Besides, compensation will be provided towards loss of animals at the rate of Rs 30,000 per milch cow and buffalo, Rs 25,000 per draught animal and Rs 3,000 per goat. Officials said more than 4,200 small and large domesticated animals have been killed due to the cyclone. Financial assistance of Rs 12,000 per hectare will be provided to fish farmers. For fishermen, Rs 40,000 will be given for new Fibre Reinforced Plastic boats and Rs 20,000 for fishing nets.
Incidentally, the package did not have anything for thousands of poultry farmers and fishermen who have lost their boats to the cyclone. Over 3.45 million of poultry birds have died in the cyclone.
Also Read| Cyclone Fani: Odisha stares at ecological crisis
The package also included seed money of Rs 10,000 for each of the affected women Self Help Groups. Community Investment Fund at the rate of Rs 1 lakh per women Self Help Group will be provided.
An amount of Rs 50,000 will be provided to women Self Help Groups that produce ‘Take Home Ration’.
Meanwhile, union petroleum and natural gas minister Dharmendra Pradhan tweeted that the inter-ministerial team from Delhi is being sent even before the Odisha State Government submitted the required memorandum. “An exception has been made for the first time in this regard so that the Central team can gather first hand idea on the extent of damage caused by the cyclone.” tweeted Pradhan.
