₹110cr for 2.79L farmers affected by floods last yr

MUMBAI : The Maharashtra government has sanctioned more than ₹110 crore as financial assistance to the farmers affected by last year’s floods and unseasonal rains. More than 2.79 lakh farmers, whose crops were damaged by natural calamities between April and October, 2017 across the state, are expected to benefit from this move.

The state revenue department issued an order on Tuesday to carry out this monetary transfer.

According to the government resolution (GR) issued by the revenue department, crops that grew on 1.26 lakh hectares of land belonging to more than 2.79 lakh farmers and were damaged will be covered under this move.

Of all regions, Konkan was found to be most affected by floods and unseasonal rains, with 82,694 hectares of crop area sustaining damage and affecting 2.12 lakh farmers.

Thane was the most affected with crop loss happening on 36,113 hectares of farmland and affecting 36,113 farmers.

Till 2013, farmers who lost 50% crops or more in natural calamities

were eligible for monetary aid from the state government.

Now they are eligible if they have lost 33% crops or more, according to the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF).

As per the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) norms, farmers who cultivate crops on non-irrigated land get a compensation of ₹6,800 per hectare (for up to two hectares) for damage due to natural calamities.

For irrigated land, they are entitled to get ₹13,500 per hectare, while for horticulture or perennial crops they gets ₹18,000 per hectare.