Maha govt sanctions Rs 2,000 cr aid for drought-hit farmers

The Maharashtra government has given a go ahead to disburse Rs 2,000 crore compensation to farmers affected by drought during the 2014 Kharif season.
Forty per cent of the amount will be distributed with immediate effect.
"Large number of crops have been destroyed in the drought during the Kharif 2014. Villages whose paisewari (value of crops) is below 50 paise, will be given an input subsidy by the state according to the request received by the District Collectors," a Government Resolution (GR) issued recently stated.
"Rs 2,000 crore have been sanctioned for the affected farmers, out of which 40 per cent will be disbursed immediately, and the rest will be given once the initial amount is spent," it said.

The regional revenue departments will be given the task of disbursing the financial aid, and 0.50 per cent of the amount will be utilised for administrative purposes, half of which will be given at the 'talathi' level to be spent for administrative purposes.
"The financial aid will be given to farmers only in their bank accounts. No cash will be given. If farmers do not have bank accounts, a zero balance account will be opened under the Jan Dhan Yojana and money will be deposited in that," the GR said.

However, the Congress hit out at the state government saying that farmers from the 'suicide belt' of Maharashtra will not get the real help.

"The government will be providing compensation to farmers for maximum two hectares of land. But the land holding in Marathwada and Vidarbha region is larger than that in the western region. Therefore, what relief will the farmers in the most affected regions (Marathwada and Vidarbha), who grow cotton, soyabean or rice will get?" Mahrashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief Manikrao Thakre asked.
The government is also yet to waive crop loan interest for the 2014 kharif season, he said.