Bhubaneswar, November 15: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday announced assistance package for people affected by drought in the state for the year 2018.
According to the announcement, agriculture input subsidy will be provided to the small and marginal farmers who have sustained crop loss of 33 per cent and above at Rs 6,800 per hectare for non- irrigated land, Rs 13,500 per hectare for irrigated land and Rs 18,000 per hectare for all types of perennial crops.
Agriculture input subsidy will also be provided to farmers other than small and marginal farmers at the same rates subject to a ceiling of two hectares per farmer. The assistance shall be provided to the actual cultivators.
Agricultural input subsidy to any affected farmer shall not be less than Rs 2,000 for perennial crops and Rs 1,000 for other crops.
One lakh pulse minikits, 30,000 oilseed minikits and 20,000 vegetable minikits will be supplied to the affected farmers during Rabi season of 2018-19.
About 3,000 pump sets will be provided with 50 per cent subsidy limited to a maximum of Rs 15,000. Similarly, 1,000 solar pump sets (0.5 HP) will be made available to affected farmers at 90 per cent subsidy limited to Rs 54,000/- per pump set under Saura Jalanidhi.
The government will also be made available 3,000 sprayers for the affected farmers at a subsidy of 50 per cent limited to maximum of Rs 3,800 per sprayer for battery operated sprayers and Rs 600 per sprayer for hand operated sprayers.
Similarly, immediate steps will be taken to arrange and distribute quality seeds in sufficient quantity for alternate cropping in Rabi season.
Odisha Lift Irrigation Corporation shall take immediate steps to repair the Lift Irrigation Points in all the affected villages on priority. Steps shall be taken to operate all LI points during Rabi season. Energy Department shall energise the LI Points immediately.
Steps shall be taken to energise all the pending deep bore wells in the affected villages on priority.
Farm Credit:
Short Term Kharif loans advanced in the affected areas during crop loss of 33% and above shall be converted into Medium Term (Conversion) Loan.
Due date of Kharif short term loans advanced in the affected areas shall into be extended up to 30th September, 2019 to facilitate conversion of such loans Medium Term (Conversion) ) Loans.
Farmers affected by drought in Kharif shall be provided fresh finance for Rabi cultivation during current Rabi season, which has commenced from 01.10.2018.
Expeditious steps will be taken to organise Joint Liability Groups (JLG) by covering maximum number of share croppers / oral lessees to provide them credit during current Rabi season in the drought-affected areas.
Expeditious steps will be taken to conduct crop cutting experiments to settle the claims of the affected insured farmers under the crop insurance scheme, PMFBY, with risks of localized calamity and mid-season adversity.
Animal Resources Development Sector:
About 20,000 landless, marginal and small farmers in the drought-affected GPs will be provided livelihood support in terms of backyard poultry. At the same time, intensive fodder cultivation will be taken up in these GPs through distribution of suitable fodder kits.
Wage Employment:
Works will be taken up under MGNREGA by the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department to establish water harvesting structures / de-silting of field channels, diversion weirs etc. Additional 50 man days will be provided under MGNREGA.
Land Revenue and Enforcement:
100 percent remission in respect of cess on land revenue and compulsory basic water rate will be given to farmers where the crop loss is 33% or more.
District administration shall keep close watch on money lenders and other unscrupulous elements causing financial hardship to the farmers and Police will initiate tough action against such elements under the Odisha Money Lenders Act and various sections of the I.P.C. The SPs will have the responsibility to proactively deal with this. DIGs will review the matter.
Education:
Tuition fees and examination fees in Government and aided schools and colleges in drought-affected areas shall be waived.
Prasanta Patnaik