Odisha Govt announced aid for drought affected farmers

BHUBANESWAR, Odisha: The Government of Odisha has announced an input assistance of ₹200 crore to the farmers affected due to drought in the state.

As per the press release, the government will bear the entire cost of expenditure of about 2,63,560 hectares of cropland in 15 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and 64 blocks of 12 districts. More than 33 per cent suffered crop loss and farmers are yet to receive their crop insurance dues, even after continuous pursuance by the state government with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.

After understanding the situation of the affected farmers and crop loss reports submitted by the collectors of the districts, Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik decided to provide immediate assistance. The estimated amount for immediate disbursement of assistance is about ₹200 crore to overcome the farmers’ distress.  

The state government also directed the collectors of the affected districts to submit the requirements of funds to the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) and to take immediate steps for assistance.

The decision comes after farmers claimed the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) for agricultural losses during the kharif season of 2021. Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, mentioned that he reviewed the pending PMFBY claims and requested the technical advisory council under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India and the involved insurance firms to look into the matter.