The Hindu Business Line : Kerala cabinet doubles compensation for crop loss

THE State Cabinet has decided to double the compensation to farmers for crop loss. Announcing this to the media, the Chief Minister, Mr A.K. Antony, said 34 crops had been selected for coverage under the new policy.

As per this, the paddy sector will see the compensation amount being revised to Rs 3,000 per hectare of crop lost. The State Government would meet the additional expenditure being incurred on this count.

The Cabinet also extended its approval to the supplementary memorandum seeking a drought relief assistance of Rs 2,844 crore from the Centre. This is inclusive of the projections made in the earlier memorandum that had cited an amount of Rs 1,359 crore, in response to which the Centre granted sanction of Rs 49 crore only.

Giving a sector-wise compensation demanded in the supplementary memorandum, Mr Antony said Rs 412 crore was being sought for drinking water supply, Rs 74 crore for schemes of the public utility, Kerala Water Authority (KWA), and Rs 1,479 crore for compensating farmers and supplying them with seeds and ensuring irrigation facilities.

Forest fire prevention measures have been cited to demand Rs 158 crore while loss due to hydel projects running at less than optimum potential has been put at Rs 720 crore. This is something that demanded special consideration given Kerala's special situation.

The drought situation had taken a worse turn since the time of submission of the first memorandum. The circumstances obtaining today demanded that a liberal assistance be made to help the State tide over the crisis. An official delegation led by the Chief Secretary, Mr N. Chandrasekharan Nair, will be going to New Delhi with the second memorandum.

Answering questions, the Chief Minister said the State Government would consider a package of concessions to farmers other than what have already been announced. A committee headed by the Agriculture Production Commissioner will examine its legal and financial implications and submit its observations for the Cabinet's approval at its next meeting.

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