Rs 1,000 crore-diesel subsidy to paddy growers: Pawar

New Delhi, July 31 (ANI): Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has said that the government will provide Rs 1,000-crore subsidy on diesel to paddy farmers for irrigation during the on-going Kharif season in order to provide relief to growers in times of erratic monsoon.

"One major decision which the government has taken in yesterday's Cabinet meeting is to extend a budgetary provision of Rs 1,000 crore for the support of the (paddy) farmers who are using diesel pumps," Pawar said on Friday.

The minister admitted that the coverage of the crop has slumped, while productivity, too, is expected to be impacted due to the late monsoon.

"Firstly, area (under paddy) is less. Secondly, we are expecting less productivity because of this gap (in monsoon arrival)," he added. (ANI)