Maha to pay Rs 2,172 cr to draught-hit farmers

The money would be given as compensation at the rate of Rs 3,000 per hectare for food grain crop and Rs 8,000 per hectare for horticulture

Maharashtra government will distribute funds to the tune of Rs 2,172 crore received from the Centre over the last couple of years towards drought mitigation to farmers in cash.

The decision was taken at the cabinet meeting today.

The funds were received in the kharif season in 2011, rabbi in 2011-12 and kharif season in 2012, official sources said.

The money would be given as compensation to the farmers in the drought hit areas at the rate of Rs 3,000 per hectare for food grain crop and Rs 8,000 per hectare for horticulture, sources said.

The cabinet also approved setting up of an agriculture college in Nandurbar to be affiliated to Mahatma Phule Agriculture University.

There will be 60 new posts including that of 39 teaching staff created for the purpose and 80 per cent seats will be reserved for tribal students.

Similarly, the cabinet gave a go-ahead for setting up a family court in Nanded.