State approves Rs 337cr in compensation to rain-hit farmers
Nashik division has received the highest compensation of Rs 85.67 crore for crop losses on 46,000 hectares, benefiting nearly one lakh farmers.
A govt resolution (GR) in this regard was issued on July 22. Officials said govt collected crop damage assessments from six divisional commissioners following existing protocols, primarily focusing on May's rainfall. The reports revealed that crops on 1.87 lakh hectares were damaged, making 3.98 lakh farmers eligible for the compensation, they said.
Reports showed that horticulture crops, particularly in Solapur district, suffered the maximum damage during May rainfall. "The district reported losses of Rs 40.43 crore, affecting 32,440 farmers across 22,000 hectares," an official said, citing the report.
Minister for relief and rehabilitation Makarand Patil, in a written statement, stated, "Govt is with the affected farmers. To give them relief, govt approved the compensation immediately after getting the reports from the respective divisions.
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The farmers will start receiving the compensation soon."
According to the GR, the compensation amount for crop losses has been determined based on a March 2023 decision, which adheres to State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) rules, limiting compensation to two hectares. Previously, govt had temporarily expanded eligibility and increased compensation amounts last Jan, but reversed this decision two months later.
Mallinath Patane, a papaya farmer from Solapur's Boramani, said, "I lost harvest-ready papayas on more than six acres due to the rain. In normal circumstances, I would have earned Rs 22 lakh from the six acres. The meagre compensation offered by govt would barely cover my expenses, let alone the profits I would have made."
As per the Jan 2024 decision, Patane would have received Rs 27,000 per hectare for his loss up to a 3-hectare limit.
But, he will now get just Rs 17,000 per hectare up to a 2-hectare limit.
Similarly, farmers in Vidarbha's Amravati and Nagpur divisions will receive Rs 8,500 per hectare in compensation for damaged rain-fed crops, significantly lower than the Rs 13,600 per hectare they received for crop damage in Nov 2023.
Farmers' leader Raju Shetti said, "2024 was an election year, and govt wanted to show that it was doing something for the farmers. Therefore, it increased the compensation beyond the rules. After winning the election, govt withdrew the notification of increased compensation. The farmers are feeling betrayed now."
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