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Funds released for relief to farmers: Kataria
The Rajasthan government on Wednesday said it had released funds for immediate payment to farmers who had suffered more than 50% crop loss in the recent rains and hailstorm which lashed several parts of the state
The Rajasthan government on Wednesday said it had released funds for immediate payment to farmers who had suffered more than 50% crop loss in the recent rains and hailstorm which lashed several parts of the state.
Disaster management minister Gulab Chand Kataria told the assembly that the compensation would be paid immediately in case there is a further delay in the crop assessment report, slated to be submitted to the government on March 28.
The report was initially scheduled to be submitted on Wednesday.
A freak weather system earlier this month had led to heavy rain and hailstorm in 28 of the state's 33 districts, leading to death of 34 people and extensive damage to standing crop.
The government has already paid Rs 3 lakh as ex-gratia to families of those killed in the natural disaster.
The disaster had seen a flow of Union ministers and top political leaders including Congress chief Sonia Gandhi to some affected districts.
Speaking on the issue during the zero hour on Wednesday, Kataria said the government was ready to help every person affected due to the untimely rains on "humanitarian ground".
He said the government had asked district collectors not to wait for the assessment report in case of further delay and go ahead with payment of compensation to farmers who have suffered damage to 50% of their crop.
He said funds sought by district collectors have been transferred online.
He said the Vasundhara Raje government has been in constant touch with the Centre for relief to the affected farmers, including seeking one lakh tonne of additional wheat.
