A Relief Package Worth Rs. 700 Crore Announced for Rain-hit Farmers

The state government has announced a relief package of Rs 700 crore for the farmers in Gujarat, whose crops have been damaged due to excessive rainfall this year. Nitin Patel, Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat said the move would benefit over four lakh farmers in the state.

Farmers in Gujarat witnessed damage to their crops due to excess rains that thrashed the state even after the monsoon season officially ended. Patel said that "The cabinet meeting held two days back decided to declare a relief package for farmers who have faced crop losses due to excess rains in the last week of October and early part of November".

He added some more by saying "We have decided to give a relief package of Rs 700 crore for the farmers. The main crops that have been damaged are groundnut, cotton and rice...Over four lakh farmers will benefit from this package. The relief package will be over and above the crop insurance that the companies will provide to the farmers who under the insurance cover. The relief will be given as per the rules of the central government's Calamity Relief Fund".

According to the Deputy CM, in different parts of the state, a survey is being carried out to assess the crop damage and it will soon be completed.

He said that "Chief Minister Vijay Rupani had promised to provide relief to all the farmers even if they have not taken crop insurance. To keep that promise to the farmers in the state, this relief package has been announced."

The relief package to farmers just "lollypop" said by opposition Congress leaders and have said to the state government to provide crop insurance .

Congress leader Hardik Patel said that "Farmers are committing suicide as they are not paid 100 per cent crop insurance. While we welcome the government's move (relief package), we want prompt disbursement of crop insurance". He also added that "The BJP government was forced to announce a package of Rs 700 crore because of the Congress. We will continue our fight for the farmers in the coming days".

MLA Lalit Kagathara(Congress), who accompanied Hardik during the fast, claimed that this relief package can cover the losses suffered by the farmers. The legislator said that "This package is just another lollypop by the BJP government. As per the package, a farmer would get Rs 2,000 to Rs 1,000 per bigha as compensation. You can hardly cover the cost of hiring two labourers in that money. This announcement is misleading. Farmers must get 100 per cent payment towards the loss of their crop".