UP hikes flood/drought compensation for small farmers

Lucknow, Dec 3 (UNI) In the backdrop of reported starvation deaths and suicides by farmers, the Uttar Pradesh government today decided to increase the minimum compensation for small and marginal farmers who have suffered losses due to natural calamities, including floods and drought.

The state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mayawati, decided to increase the minimum compensation from Rs 250 to Rs 1000.

The state governemnt has also sent a letter to the Centre to permit the state under the Central Relief Fund Act(CRFA) to pay the farmers minimum of Rs 1,000 for the drought relief in Bundelkhand region with immediate effect.

State cabinet secretary Shashank Shekhar Singh told mediapersons here that the Uttar Pradesh government will start paying Rs 1,000 to the small and marginal farmers the relief from tomorrow as it will not wait for the Centre's nod.

The state government has already sanctioned Rs 100 crore for the distribution of relief to the farmers.

Earlier, farmers had resented the government move to give them a paltry amount of Rs 250 minimum relief for drought in Bundelkhand region.

UNI