Govt. has taken 'path-breaking' measures to to help the poor: Venkaiah Naidu

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader M.Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday said the government had taken 'path-breaking' measures in favour of the poor.

Citing several measures and a significant raise in amount of compensation to farmers, he said that the incumbent government is committed to provide for the welfare of the farmer.

"The Central Government has taken several path-breaking measures in favour of the poor people in the last few days. A health insurance scheme has been implemented at Re 1 per month for a total of Rs. 2 lakhs as compensation. At 90 Paise per day a life insurance scheme has been introduced for a compensation of Rs. 2 lakhs," said Naidu.

"The MUDRA Bank has come into existence to help push-cart people, fruit merchants and also those running small dhabas. It is a major step in the direction of funding the un-funded," he said.

"The fourth decision is to raise the compensation for the farmers affected by excessive rains and for those families who lost their bread earners. The compensation amount has been raised from Rs. 1,20,000 to Rs. 4,00,000. This is a steep increase," he added.

He also stated that the government had taken steps to help cattle, dairy and poultry farmers in addition to the steps taken to help artisans and craftsmen.

"Compensation would also be provided for cattle lost, cattle-sheds and sand cast affected farmers, work-sheds of artisans, raw material lost, boats for fishermen and the compensation amount has been increased significantly," he said.

Speaking about the extensive crop damage sustained by the farmers he said, "The government has decided to provide compensation to farmers who have suffered crop damage of 33% and above. Previously the Government would only provide compensation if the crops had sustained 50% damage. In addition to this the cattle, poultry and dairy farmers also would be compensated in the event of a calamity."

Reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modi's role in bringing out these measures, he stated that, "Banks have also been instructed to reschedule crop loans and to defer the repayment of loans. The Prime Minister himself has instructed the insurance agencies to expediate the settlement of insurance claims. These are all historic pro-farmer decisions taken by the Narendra Modi-led NDA Government.