HP to seek Rs 200 crore relief from Centre

Shimla, Jun 21 : Himachal Pradesh Government will seek Rs 200 crore relief from the Centre for the loss to the crops in the state due to long dry spells, state Revenue Minister Sat Mahajan said.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and I have decided to take up the issue with the Prime Minister soon, he told a group of reporters who called on him yesterday.

Mr Mahajan said because of the dry spell, the loss to crops and fruits was over Rs 400 crore, but it would only seek a relief of Rs 200 crore only, while the rest would be borne by the state government itself.

Though all the districts of the state have been affected, Kangra and Una were the worst hit, where almost 70 per cent of the crops and fruit produce has been lost off, he said.

He said based on the reports received from various districts, the state government would submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister for providing relief to the state.

Ñ'As of now we are going by the reports submitted by the respective deputy commissioners. Besides, if the monsoon arrives on time, the loss to the crops will be minimal. However, if the rains are delayed, the situation will worsen,Ò' he said Mr Mahajan said the state government has released a sum of Rs three crore to each district to meet the immediate needs of the districts and arrange for ferrying water in tankers and fodder for the cattles.

Expressing concern over the drought situation in the state, he said the amount released by the state government to each district was sufficient.

Replying to a question whether the government would provide relief to the farmers whose crops have been destroyed, he said the government was planning to waive off the interest on loans taken by the farmers.

UNI