Rajasthan Pushes for Revised Crop Damage Relief Rules to Aid Farmers

Farmers have experienced significant delays as a result of the new provision. According to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, the calculation of the insurance money to be given to farmers during calamities under the Prime Minister's Fasal Bima Yojana is a "complex and lengthy" process.

"This causes multiple delays in SDRF assistance disbursement, while farmers must raise funds for the next crop immediately after the damage," he explained.

Gehlot had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the rule, pointing out that farmers in the state were not receiving immediate aid as a result of it. Prior to the implementation of the guidelines, farmers received immediate cash help from the SDRF.

"The SDRF's purpose is not being met under the new rules due to a lack of timely assistance to farmers." These rules must be modified immediately," stated Gehlot. The Chief Minister further called Modi's attention to the fact that crop damage compensation was limited to only 2 hectares of agricultural land.

Farmers in Rajasthan, particularly in the western regions of the state, are unable to receive enough remuneration due to their larger average landholding size.

Gehlot has requested Prime Minister Modi to raise the landholding restriction over 2 hectares, which should apply to both the SDRF and the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).