Gandhinagar

Gujarat Chief Minister Mrs. Anandiben Patel has announced new norms for assistance provided to farmers who suffered loss due to unseasonal rains and natural calamities.

Mrs. Patel has decided to postpone permanent provision of 7.5% hike in rates of water provided for irrigation purpose, which was to be implemented with effective from 16 June, 2015 but now it has been postponed to 15 June, 2016. Farmers will get relief of Rs. 3.18 crore after postponing this hike.

As per the new norms announced by Mrs. Patel, the farmers who suffer 33% or more damage in their crops will get assistance worth Rs. 6,800 per hectare for non-irrigated areas within cultivation limits of 2 hectare irrigated areas and Rs. 13,500 for irrigated areas while assistance worth Rs. 18,000 per hectare will be given for perennial crops loss.

Moreover, Mrs. Patel has also decided to extend relief to the farmers who have suffered 25% to 33% loss in their crops. Such farmers will get Rs. 6,800 per hectare for non-irrigated areas and Rs. 13,000 per hectare for irrigated areas and perennial crops. Mrs. Patel has instructed every district administration to render immediate assistance to affected farmers.

Gujarat Chief Minister demanded to revise criteria of relief provided under SDRF to the farmers affected by natural calamities which turned out in positive outcome. Central Government announced that the criterion of 50% crop damage for providing compensation to affected farmers has been reduced to 33%. Besides, CM has decided to extend relief to the farmers who suffered 25% to 33% damage in their crops.

– DeshGujarat