Gujarat Chief Minister Announces Rs. 500 Crore Relief Package to Farmers Hit by Cyclone Tauktae

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on May 26 announced Rs. 500 crore relief package for farmers whose summer and horticultural crops were severely damaged by cyclone Tauktae.

Cycle Tauktae has been recorded as one of the most severe cyclones of Gujarat so far. It torn across the western coast ferociously last week and make a landfall on the coast of Gujarat on May 17. The cyclone had led to high-speed winds accompanied with heavy rainfall. This had destroyed about 90% of standing and ready-to-harvest crops of Saurashtra area. 

The cycle, as per survey reports, damaged crops in 2 lakh hectares spread across 86 talukas in 9 districts.

CM’s statement in the meeting

A core committee meeting was organized to decide upon a relief package in which Chief Minister Rupani said, "Cyclone Tauktae, which triggered wind speed up to 220 kmph, had destroyed crops in Amreli, Gir Somnath, Bhavnagar, Junagadh and Botad districts of the Saurashtra region. It had also affected crops in South Gujarat districts of Navsari, Surat, Valsad and Bharuch." 

"Horticulture and summer crops were destroyed in 2 lakh hectares in 86 talukas of these nine districts. The government had initiated a survey (for damage assessment) which will be completed by Thursday," he added.

What comes in the package?

Under the relief package of Rs. 500 crore, Gujarat government will give financial aid of Rs. 1 lakh per hectare (upto 2 hectares) to farmers who witnessed their horticultural crops destroyed completely in the cyclone.

If the damage exceeds 33%, the government will provide Rs. 30,000 per hectare, upto 2 hectares.
Farmers whose summer crops were damaged to over 33% will be given Rs. 20,000 per hectare (upto 2 hectares) as compensation.

The chief horticultural crops that succumbed to the wrath of cyclone Tauktae are mangoe, lemons, chikoos, guavas, and coconut.

The government will credit the compensation amount directly to the bank account of farmers after May 27 when the survey gets over, as per the CM’s statement.