Govt drawing up package to prevent suicides among farmers

New Delhi, May 12 (UNI) Minister of State for Agriculture Kanti Lal Bhuria today informed the Rajya Sabha that the Government is drawing up a package for the districts worst affected by the incidence of suicide by farmers.

The package would address their credit, insurance, irrigation and subsidiary income needs, through dairy, poultry and horticulture.

He also admitted the National Commission on Farmers (NCF) has recommended formulation of a comprehensive national policy for farmers. The recommendation is under consideration of the Government.

The Minister, however, said the NCF has submitted its report to the government recently and the main recommendations contained in the Fourth Report submitted by the Commission relate to establishment of a National Agricultural Biosecurity system (NABS) and Draft National Policy for Farmers.

Regarding expert panel on Bird Flu, Minister of State for Agriculture Taslimuddin said a committee has been constituted to assess/determine the possible source of the outbreak of Avian Influenza in poultry in Navapur, Nandurbar District of Maharashtra under the Chairmanship of Dr N K Ganguly, Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

On the social security cover for Fishermen, Mr Taslimuddin said assistance is extended to the people including fishermen affected by natural calamities such as cyclone, super-cyclone from the Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) and the National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF).

This includes repair/replacement of boats, nets damaged or lost and input subsidy . Under the Group Accident Insurance component, assistance of Rs 50,000 in case of accidental death/permanent total disability and Rs 25,000 for permanent partial disability is provided to the families of the affected fishermen covered under the scheme.

Further, safety of fishermen at sea is one of the main components of the macro scheme on Development of Marine Fisheries, Infrastructure and Post Harvest Operations.

Under this component, financial assistance to the extent of 20 per cent cost or subject to maximum of Rs 30,000 per unit is extended through National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) for installation of Global Positioning System (GPS) and wireless set on the small mechanised fishing vesells of blow 20 meter length, the Minister added.

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