Compensation to farmers after joint survey report: CM

Compensation to farmers for the crops they have lost to unseasonal rain in five districts of the Hyderabad-Karnataka region would be given once officials of Agriculture and Revenue departments conduct a joint survey and submit a detailed report, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Friday.

“Unseasonal rain in the recent past has caused extensive damage to crops in Koppal, Ballari, Yadgir, Kalaburagi and Bidar districts. Aerial survey has been conducted in Gangavati, Sindhanur, Manvi, Sirguppa and Kanakagiri. I have personally inspected the damage caused to crops in several areas.

The extent of damage will be known after the joint survey to be conducted by the officials of Revenue and Agriculture departments. The officials have been told to submit a detailed report in two to three days. The government will take steps to distribute the compensation to the affected farmers based on the guidelines laid down by the Centre,” the chief minister told reporters after undertaking an aerial survey of the rain-affected areas.

He said the government might announce a special package for the affected region, if needed. Siddaramaiah further said compensation would be distributed to the kin of the deceased farmers.

 So far, the government used to pay a compensation of Rs 1.5 lakh in case of death. Henceforth, a compensation of Rs four lakh would be paid to the family members of the deceased. Likewise, compensation for crop loss is being increased to Rs 13,450 per hectare from Rs 9,000 per hectare. Compensation for horticulture crop loss will be enhanced from Rs 12,000 to Rs 18,000 per hectare. Persons injured in natural calamities will get a compensation of Rs 2 lakh, he added.

Extent of damage

According to sources, crops on 56,112 hectares of land have suffered damaged due to the unseasonal rain in the recent past. Horticulture crops on 1,450 hectares too have suffered damage. Thunder showers have left 14 dead in the Hyderabad-Karnataka region. Further, 774 cattle heads in the region were killed during the rain.

Agriculture Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, Koppal MP Sanganna Karadi and others were present.