Centre to extend every possible assistance to affected farmers
Bhopal: Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh has said that Central government stands by farmers in this hour of crisis. The Prime Minister has asked all states including Madhya Pradesh to provide immediate relief to affected farmers and send survey report on crops to the Centre. He said that Central government will extend every possible assistance on the basis of survey report. Shri Singh took stock of crop loss due to hailstorm at village Khera Tanka in Gwalior district and consoled farmers today. He was accompanied by Union Steel and Mines Minister Shri Narendra Singh Tomar and Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Expressing grief over extensive damage to crops by hailstorm, the Union Home Minister said that he has seen a natural calamity of such magnitude for the first time. He urged farmers to have patience and not to lose heart. At village Khera Tanka, Shri Rajnath Singh inspected crop loss in the fields of Sarvshri Devendra, Ram Singh, Jagendra, Sukhlal, Kundan Singh, Bharat Singh etc. and consoled them.
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan reiterated that there would be no lack of funds for providing relief to affected farmers. He said that apart from all types of relief under provisions of Revenue Book of Circulars, affected farmers will also be provided benefit of crop insurance scheme. For this, directives have been given to collectors to undertake crop cutting experiment. The Chief Minister said that the state government had distributed Rs. 3300 crore relief to natural calamity affected farmers last year. This year also, no stone will be left unturned to provide relief to affected farmers.
Shri Chouhan said that the government has suspended recovery of loans from affected farmers. Besides, interest will also be paid by the government for one year. He said that the state government will provide Rs. 25 thousand for marriage of affected farmers’ daughters. They would not be bound to get their daughters marries at mass marriage functions for this amount. He also reiterated that affected farmers will be provided wheat, rice and salt at Re. one per kg and 4 litre kerosene and subsidised sugar. The Chief Minister urged the Union Home Minister to make efforts that Central government relaxes FAQ norms in procurement of wheat since it would be a major relief for farmers.
Union Steel and Mines Minister Shri Narendra Singh Chouhan assured every possible effort for Central assistance to Madhya Pradesh’s farmers. Shri Tomar lauded state government’s measures in favour of farmers.
MLA Shri Bharat Singh Kushwaha, ex-MLA Shri Jawahar Singh Rawat, Zila Panchayat Vice-President Shri Shanti Sharan Gautam and large number of farmers were present on the occasion.
