New Delhi

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today while speaking at launching function of Mudra Bank in New Delhi announced that Government of India has taken a decision to give relief to farmers who have suffered over 33% damage to their crops. The existing parameter suggests that government can offer relief to farmers only when damage to their crop is above 50%.

“There was poor monsoon last year and farmers were already in problem. In addition to this, hailstorm and unseasonal rain damaged their crop this year. Their crop was ready to go to the markets. The situation was like their cash was burnt in fire. We sent ministers who visited farms to review the situation. Yesterday I received detail report from all these ministers who were sent to affected states.”

“I had earlier said that to help the farmers who are in difficult situation is responsibility of government, society and all.”

“Natural calamities happened earlier too, but government parameters were such that extending relief to farmers in today’s circumstances was not possible.”

“Therefore, the Government is going to take a big decision. Till now farmers could get relief from government only if there was over 50% damage to their crops. If there was less than 50% damage, government was unable to help them. Chief Ministers of various states suggested that this norm should be changed. Our Ministers had also visited the states. We have now taken a decision that even 33% damage to crop will be suitable to get relief. I am aware that it will bring great (financial) burden. But we have accepted this demand made by many.”

Prime Minister further said, “The other issue is relief given to farmers. Post independence this is for the first time that 33% damage to crop will be eligibility for government relief, and second decision is a major jump in relief. All parameters of relief to farmers are increased by 1.5 time. This means if a farmer is suitable to get Rs. 100 relief, he will get Rs. 150 aid. If he is eligible to get Rs. 1,00,000 relief, he would get Rs. 1,50,000 relief.”

Prime Minister also said that the government has asked insurance companies to be proactive in helping the farmers in difficulty. He said government has also asked banks to restructure debt to bring farmers out of the difficult situation.

DeshGujarat