Farmers exempted from irrigation tax, waived off power bills

Jaipur, March 14 (UNI) Farmers, who have lost more than 50 per cent of their crops, would be exempted from irrigation tax and would be waived off two months electricity bill.

This was stated by state relief minister Dr Kirori Lal Meena amid noisy scenes in the House today.

Dr Meena said those villages where more than 50 per cent crops have been damaged, will be exempted from payment of land tax. The goverment has also decided to write off the farmers' cooperative emergency loans.

The government would pay Rs 50,000 to the next-of-kin of persons killed due to hailstorm, Rs 25,000 to those seriously injured and Rs 5000 to those who sustained minor injuries.

The farmers whose houses have been destroyed completely would be given Rs 10,000.

About Rs 2000 would be given for those whose houses have been partly damaged and Rs 800 for minor damages.

Small time farmers whose crops have been destroyed will be given Rs 2500 per hectare for irrigated areas and Rs 1000 per hectare for unirrigated areas.

Meanwhile, the Assembly was adjourned till tomorrow as no business could be conducted amid slogan shouting and noisy scenes in the House.

UNI