Maharashtra govt announces Rs 1000 cr compensation to farmers

Nagpur, Dec 5 (ANI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has announced a compensation of Rs 1000 crore to farmers who lost their crops due to untimely rains in the state.

Chavan said that such destructive rainfall affected many areas and farmers of the state.

"According to the figures we have, around 5, 44, 000 hectares of land was affected in the rains and the amount of loss is more than 50 percent," he said.

Commenting on the opposition allegation that the relief amount is very less, he said that it is sufficient and opposition miscalculated the figures.

"If you divide Rs. 1000 crores by 5, 00, 000 hectares you get Rs. 20,000. However, it does not mean that everyone will get Rs. 20,000; I just want to say it is not Rs. 2000," added Chavan.

Chavan also said that the government is always ready to help the farmers.

"Maharashtra Government will try its best to make the base of the farmers strong," he added.

Chavan was replying to a debate in the House on damage to farmers due to untimely rains, raised by Leader of Opposition Eknath Khadse and others under Rule 101 of the House.

Dissatisfied with Chief Minister's reply, Opposition staged a walk-out, demanding higher compensation for farmers.

"This government does not work for the protection of the interest of the farmers; it is in opposition to their interest. They do not want to work for the farmer; that's why we walked out," said Khades.

Maharashtra is India's biggest producer of Kharif crop and the second-biggest producer of cotton and soybean. Because of incessant rain in the past fifteen days farmers are now incurring huge loss. (ANI)