Government is committed to ensuring justice for every farmer affected by crop loss: Zameer Ahmed Khan
Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan on Friday (August 7) visited drought-hit villages across Vijayanagara district and assured farmers that the State government was committed to
Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan on Friday (August 7) visited drought-hit villages across Vijayanagara district and assured farmers that the State government was committed to providing justice and appropriate compensation to every cultivator who had suffered crop losses due to the failure of the southwest monsoon. Inspecting standing crops damaged by prolonged dry spells, the Minister interacted with farmers and reviewed the prevailing drought conditions in Kudligi, Kottur and Harapanahalli taluks. Speaking to reporters during the visit, Mr. Khan said the district had recorded nearly 60% rainfall deficiency during the current monsoon season, leaving farmers in severe distress. He said officials from the Agriculture and Revenue Departments had been directed to conduct a joint survey and submit a comprehensive report at the earliest.
The findings would be placed before Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, following which the government would take appropriate decisions to provide relief to affected farmers. The Minister said separate lists of insured and uninsured farmers would be prepared so that no eligible farmer was denied assistance. While some farmers had enrolled under the crop insurance scheme, many could not do so either because they had not taken up sowing or had failed to register in time, he noted. Referring to last year’s crop insurance claims, he said ₹66.397 crore had already been released out of the sanctioned ₹109.54 crore, while the remaining ₹42.139 crore was yet to be disbursed. According to officials, the district should have received 188.7 mm of rainfall from June till date but had received only 76 mm, resulting in a 60% rainfall deficit.
Of the 1.93 lakh hectares sown this season, crops over 1.25 lakh hectares have suffered severe moisture stress, affecting maize, hybrid jowar, sunflower, onion, bajra and other rain-fed crops. Officials informed the Minister that 1,43,903 farmers were yet to enrol under the crop insurance scheme and appealed to farmers to register before the August 15 deadline. During his visit to Moraba village in Kudligi taluk, the Minister inspected the farm of Shantalingamma, who owns 15 acres but could cultivate only five acres due to inadequate rainfall. She informed the Minister that soaring prices of seeds and fertilizers had forced her to pledge her gold and silver ornaments to meet cultivation expenses. Farmers also urged the government to declare Kudligi as a drought-hit taluk immediately.
The BriefWire