Except income tax payers, all other farmers eligible for relief

Bhopal. On the directives of Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh, process to give relief against crop loss to farmers has been simplified through a circular issued to all collectors today. It has been made clear in the directives issued by the state government that income tax payer farmers will not be eligible for relief.

Income tax payer farmer means farmer, his wife and adult children. A farmer will be eligible for relief if he pays professional tax and service tax, but is not an income tax payer. Provisions for relief have been made only in the interest of farmers in the state. The state government has also made it clear that if an income tax payer farmer who has given his farm on lease to a farmer (Shikami or Bataidar) with mutual consent and who is not income tax payer then he will also be eligible for relief.

Relief is distributed to farmers against crop loss due to natural calamities like floods, deficient rainfall and drought as per provisions of Revenue Book of Circulars 6-4. Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has understood difficulties of farmers and effected adequate increase in rates for calculation of relief from time to time.

Detailed directives have also been given by Madhya Pradesh government regarding relief to all district collectors on November 6, 2015. After receipt of information that apart from income tax payer farmers, such farmers who have tractors, TV etc. have also been deprived of relief, this clarification has been issued.

The state government has made it clear that all other farmers, than those who are income tax payer or any member of their family is tax payer, are eligible for relief. For relief, application can be submitted on plain paper giving details of land and sown area.

From farmers whose crops have been affected by drought or any other calamity only a declaration will be taken that they or any other member of their families are not income tax payers. Declaration forms will be provided free of cost by collectors. Otherwise, a farmers can apply on plain paper giving his name, land holding and mention that he is not an income tax payer.