Odisha announces special package for rain-hit farmers

Farmers hit by flash flood and rain this month would get a minimum Rs 2,000 financial assistance as per a special package announced by Odisha government today.
Incessant rainfall between June 12 and 14 wrecked havoc on crop and houses in Kalahandi, Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur and other neighbouring districts.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced the special package after reviewing reports from ministers Kalpataru Das and P K Deb.
The two ministers had visited four rain-hit districts.
An ex-gratia assistance of Rs 2,000 per hectare would be given to farmers who have suffered 50 per cent or more crop loss, Patnaik said.

This was in addition to agriculture input subsidy Rs 3,000 per hectare for rain-fed areas, Rs 6,000 per hectare for irrigated areas and Rs 8,000 per hectare for perennial crops.

He said financial assistance will be given to the cultivators who have suffered crop loss to the extent of 50 per cent or more. However, the minimum assistance to any affected farmer will not be less than Rs 2,000.
The families, whose houses have been fully damaged due to flash flood, would be provided accommodation under the Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) and Mo Kudia scheme.
Patnaik also issued direction to the four district collectors to provide assistance for repair and reconstruction of houses along with assistance for clothing and utensils to the affected families, in accordance with National Disaster Relief Fund and State Disaster Relief Fund norms.

The state government also assured the farmers that the state owned Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation would lift the paddy through a special drive from different mandis and stock yard. The OSCSC has also been instructed to ensure minimum support price of paddy.