Rajasthan seeks change in rules for crop damage relief to farmers
The Hindu
Rajasthan has sought an amendment in the new rules notified by the Centre in October 2022, incorporating the financial assistance given by the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to farmers for crop damage, into the Prime Minister’s Fasal Bima Yojana.
Rajasthan has sought an amendment in the new rules notified by the Centre in October 2022, incorporating the financial assistance given by the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to farmers for crop damage, into the Prime Minister’s Fasal Bima Yojana. The new provision has led to inordinate delays in the grant of relief to farmers.
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said here on Friday that the calculation of the insured amount to be disbursed to the farmers during calamities from the Prime Minister’s Fasal Bima Yojana was a “complex and lengthy” process.
“This leads to multiple delays in the disbursement of SDRF assistance, while the farmers have to raise funds for the next crop immediately after the damage,” he said.
Mr. Gehlot had written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard, pointing out that the farmers in the State were not getting immediate relief because of the rule. Before the rules came into existence, the farmers were getting quick financial assistance from the SDRF.
“The purpose of the SDRF is not being fulfilled under the new rules because of non-availability of timely assistance to farmers. These rules must be amended immediately,” said Mr. Gehlot.
The Chief Minister also drew Mr. Modi’s attention to the relief provided to farmers for the crop damage having been limited to only 2 hectares of agricultural land. The farmers in Rajasthan, especially those in the western parts of the State, are unable to get proper compensation because of their larger average landholding size.
Mr. Gehlot has urged the Prime Minister to increase the limit of landholding above 2 hectares, which should be applicable to both the SDRF and the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).