Bhubaneswar: Stepping up the process for providing compensation for crop loss caused by unseasonal rains, the Odisha government on Saturday decided to identify the affected farmers and assess the extent of damage suffered by them by December 30.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to review the situation arising out of the unseasonal rains that lashed the state for over a week. The Chief Minister directed the officials concerned to ensure that no affected farmer is deprived of government assistance.
The meeting was attended among others by Deputy Chief Minister K V Singh Deo, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja and other Ministers and senior officials.
As per the decision, the farmers, who lost their crops including paddy, vegetables and betel, will be paid compensation through DBT. The affected farmers will be identified by December 30, official sources said.
Stating that unseasonal rain occurred in two phases between December 20 and 28 causing extensive damage to crops during kharif harvesting period, the Chief Minister requested the farmers covered with insurance to report to the government about their crop loss before the deadline.
“It has been decided that the assessment of the damage will be conducted by December 30. Subsequently, as per the provision of the state and Union government, compensation amounts will be provided to the distressed farmers through the Direct Benefit Transfer, he said.
Based on the report, the state government will take necessary step following discussion with the insurance companies.
“All the affected farmers will receive financial assistance for their crop loss,” the CM said, adding that over 1.26 lakh affected farmers have applied so far for compensation under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
All the affected farmers should report about their crop loss by Sunday. Along with paddy, the betel leaf and vegetable farmers will also be included under the scheme, he said asking the farmers to inform about the crop damage through Krishi Rakshak App of the Agriculture Department.
The farmers can also lodge their grievance about their farming on 14447 toll free number issued by the department, he added.
