Barely 36 per cent farmers are likely to get a financial package for crop loss before Diwali due to the delay in Panchnama.
The state government had announced a package of Rs 10,000 crore to farmers for crop losses due to cyclone and rains about a fortnight ago. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had directed the district officials to ensure speedy distribution of funds to the eligible farmers.
“We have received proposals from 14 districts where panchnamas have been completed. On the basis of the assessment received by the government, money will be sent directly to the account of eligible farmers. However, the process of Panchnama is going on in other districts. When the process is complete, we will start allotment in the remaining districts as well,” Agriculture Minister Dadasaheb Bhuse said.
Out of the total allocated Rs 10,000 crore, Rs 3,600 crore will be deposited in the accounts of farmers in 14 districts. Bhuse said the remaining Rs 6,400 crore would be deposited in phases based on the receipt of panchnams.
The minister also indicated that the state government is working on crop insurance companies to give maximum benefits to all eligible farmers. He said that several meetings have been held with insurance companies.
Around 36 lakh farmers have submitted forms to claim insurance compensation for crop loss. There are total 1.56 crore farmers. Cyclone and rain have adversely affected almost all areas of Maharashtra. But the worst affected are in Vidarbha, Marathwada, parts of northern Maharashtra, Konkan and western Maharashtra.
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