Special relief package for farmers hit by rains

The State government will come out with a special relief package for farmers who have lost their crops due the recent rains and hailstorms.

In a protracted debate on the topic at the Legislative Council on Monday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he would shortly announce the package details.

The farmers’ problems were discussed in the Council after there was a delay in presenting the Karnataka Municipal Corporation Amendment Bill 2015.

The districts facing heavy crop losses are Koppal, Kalaburgi, Vijayapura, Raichur and Ballari.

“I have not seen crop losses of such magnitude in a long time. As soon as I receive the joint survey report from the Agriculture, Horticulture and Revenue departments, I will make an announcement of the package,” he said.
Siddaramaiah said compensation for loss of heads of cattle, houses and deaths of people was being disbursed.

Revenue Minister V Sreenivas Prasad, replying to an adjournment motion moved by Opposition Leader K S Eshwarappa, said the government would also present a memorandum to the Centre seeking a special package for the State farmers, besides what was being offered under the National  Disaster Relief Fund and the State Disaster Relief Fund.

“However, we will not wait for the Centre to release funds. The special package will be announced in the next few days,” said the minister.

In his response to the Council, Prasad said preliminary reports suggested that as many as 14 persons, 90 heads of cattle, 774 homes, 55,405.88 hectares of agricultural land and 1,433.85 hectares of horticultural crops had been destroyed in the recent rains. The value of the ruined agricultural land was put at Rs 350 crore and that of horticultural crops at an estimated Rs 15 crore.

Minister of State for Agriculture, Krishna Byre Gowda, said the government had more or less completed the survey of land ruined in the rains and of farmers who had suffered
losses.

“We will complete the survey in a few days. Once the survey report is submitted, the chief minister will announce the package,” he said.
DH News Service