Raj Assly adopts resolution for damaged crops inclusion in NCRF

Jaipur, Feb 27 (UNI) The Rajasthan Assembly today adopted a resolution to urge the Centre to amend norms for inclusion of ground frost and cold wave related damaged crops into the Natural Calamity Relief Fund (NCRF), following a walkout by the Opposition Congress.

The issue, which was raised by several members in the House yesterday, was raised today again with a statement from Calamity Crisis Managment Department Minister Laxmi Narain Dave who had rounded off about the special package announced by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje for relief to affected farmers.

The Minister also sought the Congress' support to adopt a unanimous resolution to appeal to the Centre for amendment in the norms for inclusion of cold wave and ground frost related damaged crops in the NCRF.

However, Leader of the Opposition Hemaram Chaudhary and other Congress members Zuber Khan and Pradhuman Singh lone and Communist Party member Amara Ram were not satisfied with the Minister's statement.

They said the Rajasthan government was having over 400 crore under head of unused CRF money for the past three years and now this fund might be transferred into the Plan head for extending relief to the affected farmers.

Moreover, the BJP government in the state had committed in its election manifesto in the last Assembly election and later in the Budget speech in the House three years ago, that it would set up the Farmers Relief Fund and Calamity Relief Fund for extended reliefs to the farmers on its own, at the state level.

Mr Singh said over Rs 750 crore was readily available to the state government for disbursement to the farmers. If the state government was really serious, it should do so, he added.

Mr Chaudhary and Mr Singh said if the state government resolved to seek the Centre's clearance for the transfer of unsued CRF money into the Plan head for disbursement to farmers, the Congress would support the government's move at the Centre.

Dissatisfied with the Minister's response and reply to the members, the Congress members staged the walkout and in the absence of the Opposition Minister Mr Dave moved the above resolution which was adopted by voice vote.

Several members from the Treasury Benches also expressed their views over the state government's package announced by the Chief Minister on February 15 last and demanded to make it more liberal and comprehensive for the inclusion of all farmers whose crops were damaged due to bad weather.

UNI SS HS DS1650