Maharashtra seeks Rs 7K-cr central relief for rain-hit farmers | Mumbai news - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Maharashtra seeks Rs 7K-cr central relief for rain-hit farmers

Hindustan Times, Mumbai | By, Mumbai
Dec 09, 2019 08:10 AM IST

The Maharashtra government made the demand after it found, during its inspection last month, 94 lakh hectares of crop was damaged across the state. The state also found that 103.52 lakh farmers were severely affected.

 

MUnseasonal rain has damaged more than 67.52% of the total kharif crop sown this year.(Representational Photo)
MUnseasonal rain has damaged more than 67.52% of the total kharif crop sown this year.(Representational Photo)

The Maharashtra government has sought Rs 7,207-crore financial assistance from the Centre to compensate farmers for their crop damages due to unseasonal rain.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The state government made the demand after it found, during its inspection last month, 94 lakh hectares of crop was damaged across the state. The state also found that 103.52 lakh farmers were severely affected.

Unseasonal rain has damaged more than 67.52% of the total kharif crop sown this year.

“We have sought Rs 7,207.29 crore from the Centre to provide compensation to affected farmers,” said Kishor Raje Nimbalkar, secretary, relief and rehabilitation department.

“Our estimate is based on the compensation rates determined under the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF), which is Rs 6,800 per hectare for crops in rain-fed area, Rs 13,500 per hectare for crops under irrigated area, and Rs 18,000 per hectare for perennial crops,” he said, adding, “The Centre will provide compensation only as per NDRF norms.”

Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, on November 16, had declared a compensation of Rs 8,000 per hectare for kharif crop and Rs 18,000 per hectare for horticulture or perennial crop, with a cap of two hectares per farmer. The state was under President’s rule when governor Koshyari had declared the compensation.

Government officials said the estimate may go up if the state government decides to increase the compensation from that declared by the governor, but the additional amount will have to come from state’s coffers.

On November 2, then caretaker chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had declared to allocate Rs 10,000 crore as special assistance to the affected farmers.

The state government, during its inspection, also found that unseasonal rains mostly damaged crops such as paddy, jowar, bajra, maize, groundnut, soybean, tur and cotton, apart from vegetables and horticulture crops. As per the findings, Nashik was the most affected district.

The state has sought Rs 635 crore for Nashik, Rs 629 crore for Jalgaon, and Rs 504 crore for Beed districts as compensation, according to the memorandum.

A five-member Central team, headed by Dr V Thiruppugazh, joint secretary at national disaster management authority (NDMA), had toured the state for three days and assessed the losses last month.

While this year the state is facing crop loss due to unseasonal rains, it was facing drought conditions in November, last year . The state government had declared drought in 26 of the 36 districts of the state.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Faisal is with the political team and covers state administration and state politics. He also covers NCP.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On