Crops damaged in 44 MP districts: Chouhan

Bhopal, Mar 17(UNI) Hailstorm and unseasonal rains caused heavy damage to crops in 44 of the total 48 districts in Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said.

The government machinery had been engaged in assessing the extensive damage to ensure speedy disbursement of relief to the affected farmers, he said.

Addressing a group of farmers here, Mr Chouhan said the state government had issued directives to the Revenue officials to be sensitive in assessing the damage and warned that stern action would be taken against those who failed to make field survey.

Two tahsildars, one of Sehore district and another of Seoni district, had already been suspended on farmers' complaint.

Mr Chouhan said that though Central assistance was awaited, the state government had already waived land revenue, suspended recovery of bank loans and converted short-term loans to medium-term in affected areas.

''Though cent percent compensation for the loss is not possible, efforts are on to provide maximum relief to the affected farmers,'' the Chief Minister said.

UNI SP PK DS1308