Jharkhand announces subsidised seeds for farmers

In the wake of a drought-like situation prevailing in Jharkhand, Chief Minister Hemant Soren today announced Rs 14 crore to enable farmers get subsidised seeds for alternative crops.
Chairing a high-level meeting to assess different figures like rainfall and crop coverage across the state, Soren said farmers would be given seeds at 75 per cent subsidy.
Rs two crore was released for each of the 24 districts as relief measures following scanty rainfall and poor crop coverage, an official press release said quoting him here.
Soren directed all district deputy commissioners to ensure proper implementation of relief measures.
The Chief Minister also decided to ask the Centre to extend the date of 'Kisan Bima Yozana' till September 30 to help farmers deal with the situation, the release said.

To prevent migration of labour force in the farming sector, Soren announced re-introduction of earth work till September under MG-NREGA.
The agriculture secretary was asked to ensure his officials and staff stay put in the districts to oversee relief work, the release said.