Govt verifying farmers' death in recent rain havoc: Raj Min

The Rajastham government today said it was verifying the deaths of farmers who were reportedly died in rain and hailstorm related mishaps early this month in various parts of the state.
On Congress MLA Ramesh Meena's special mention motion that farmers were badly waiting for relief, the Rajasthan Calamity and Relief Minister G C Kataria said thirty-four people who have died in recent rain-hailstorm tragedy were given cash compensation of Rs 3 lakh including Rs 1.5 lakh extra amount announced by Chief Minister.
"Ped se latakar har marne vale ko is khatein mein dalna theek nahin (Anyone who is hanging himself from a tree shall not be included in calamity criteria)", Kataria told the assembly, adding, "The government is further verifying the deaths if any of farmers.

In his motion, Congress legislator said fourteen farmers have died of heart attack and depression immediately after crop loss due to rains and hailstorm in Hadauti region.
Of this figure, seven farmers have died in Bundi, four in Kota and three in Baran districts, he said, demanding they should also be given cash relief and their power bills on agriculture connections be waived.
He also demanded that small and medium farmers who lost their Rabi crops be considered for relief package as done in Jammu and Kashmir by the Central government.

The Minister reiterated that assessment report of crop loss was expected by March 28, and the grants were released to district collectors online.

He also added that the collectors were asked to start distributing crop compensation to farmers whose crop loss was assessed at above 50 per cent.
The state government had also asked the collectors to provide jobs to villagers under MNREGA, and the state had demanded an extra 1 lakh tone of wheat for free distribution to the needy, Kataria informed the House.