Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announces important decision for agriculture sector
Mumbai, August 23 – Stating that farmers would be paid compensation after Panchanamas even in case of damage more than 33 per cent due to incessant rains, chief minister Eknath Shinde told state assembly that for avoiding delay in paying financial assistance to natural calamity hit affected persons, mobile application would be used henceforth.
Stating that in case of excessive rains above 65 mm rainfall, compensation is paid, chief minister Shinde said that taking into account demand in this regard, farmers would be paid compensation after Panchanamas even for damage of more than 33 percent of crop due to incessant rains.
Use of mobile app for Panchanama
Chief minister informed that to reduce delays in paying compensation to affected persons in case of natural calamity mobile application would be used. He added that e-Panchanama through mobile app along with seeking necessary funds and paying money directly to Aadhaar linked bank accounts, is under development and it would also use remote sensing technology along with satellite imagery and Drone technology for this purpose.
Crop damage due to weed would also get compensation
Informing the state assembly that directions have been issued to conduct Panchanamas about crop damages due to weed like Yellow Mozac, Snails chief minister Shinde said that these farmers would also be paid compensation. Stating that in 2400 revenue circles one automatic weather station per circle has been installed to measure rainfall and other atmospheric parameters, chief minister Shinde said that this number of AWS is inadequate which is why the number of such weather stations would be increased so that an accurate forecast to farmers is provided. It would result in an accurate forecast leading to insurance claims settlement much earlier. He said that insurance companies would be asked in writing to consider the applications valid which are submitted to the agricultural office, Tehsil office or the bank with which insurance money is deposited. Shinde informed that the farmers who have regularly made loan payments would be provided with Rs. 50 thousand as encouragement subsidy and actual disbursement of this money would be started from the month of September.
Policy on disaster prone areas soon
Chief minister Shinde said that there is no policy on rehabilitation of people who regularly face natural calamities including landslide, floods and other disasters as these people have to stay in dangerous situations. He informed that a policy is being prepared soon about rehabilitation of such people so that loss of lives can be avoided in a big way.
Value-chain would be developed
Chief minister Shinde informed that traceability of the seed under digital farming campaign, block chain model, artificial intelligence, computerization of cooperative society and farmer producer companies would be undertaken. It would lead to farmers availing high quality seeds and fertilizers in just rates leading to increase in their income. Modern technologies like Drone, nano-urea, irrigation automization, controlled cultivation would be encouraged in modern farming. Under crop diversification, he added that thrust
would be given on horticulture and oil seeds and crops like pulses along with medicinal plants as well as aroma plants cultivation would be effectively undertaken for which necessary facilities and cooperation from Centre would be sought effectively.
Comprehensive action plan to prevent farmers’ suicides
Stating that for implementing Central schemes in an appropriate manner, planned work would be undertaken chief minister Shinde said that action would be taken to give direction in a speedy manner by strengthening project monitoring units in the agriculture infrastructure fund. The central schemes pertaining to natural and organic farming would be implemented effectively so that farming would be free from poison. Steps would be taken so that a complete quality chain from farm to market is created for increasing income of farmers. Stating that farmer producer companies would be encouraged, he said that for preventing farmers’ suicides a comprehensive action plan is being prepared with the help from all the concerned departments and it would be declared soon.
On the spot work in disaster area
Stating that Maharashtra was facing calamities like excessive rains, floods, cyclones, untimely rains, hailstorm chief minister Shinde said that the first Cabinet meeting reviewed this situation. He said that after a big breather, rains have started in Mumbai and Konkan region which is why soon after taking over, he held a meeting to review disaster management apparatus of the state. He said that officials were directed to physically go on the field and work to ensure that there is no loss of any life during calamity. He informed that he was in touch with district collectors especially those from Konkan districts on a daily basis. Stating that many rivers were flooded and water was flowing above the danger mark in some rivers he added that 11 battalions of SDRF were deployed and 9 NDRF teams along with 4 SDRF teams were kept ready at base station. Informing the state assembly that a flood-like situation was created at Chandurbazar and Morshi in Tivasa Tehsil of Amravati district, he said that work regarding moving villagers to safe places was monitored. He said that he held a meeting about Thane district disaster management and gave necessary directions after reviewing the situation. Stating that he along with deputy chief minister visited flood-affected Gadchiroli and instilled confidence among flood affected persons. He informed that many roads in South Gadchiroli including Bhamaragad, Aheri and Sironcha were closed due to waterlogging after rains. He said that it was not possible to go by air from Nagpur due to bad weather conditions, he had to travel by road to review the situation.
Chief minister said that 18.21 lakh hectares land was affected in the state due to excessive rains, incessant rains and flood and it includes 17.59 lakh 633 rain-fed while 25 thousand 476 hectares of irrigated land and 36 thousand 294 hectares of land under horticulture. So far, he informed that, 21 thousand flood affected persons have been shifted to safer places and Rs. 1.52 crores is being given towards loss of livestock which has lost lives. He informed that Rs. 4.70 crores funding is given towards damage of houses, shelters and cow-sheds. A funding of Rs. 5.78 crores is given to damage caused due to land scrubbing due to floods and other reasons. Damage of drips and sprinkler sets has occurred and 212 drip sets while 469 sprinkler’s sets have received damage. He said that as per the suggestions by Centre any beneficiary can avail benefits of micro irrigation since life of the set is seven years.
Crop damage compensation with increased rate
Informing that in July 2022 a decision was taken to provide assistance with improved rates from State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) chief minister Shinde said that instead of previous 2 hectares now this money is provided for three hectares and this money has been raised from Rs. Five thousand to 15 thousand. He said that an important aspect is that Panchanamas entire affected areas have been completed in a matter of 1.25 months. Stating that no affected person would be deprived from financial assistance he said that district administrations have been directed to ensure that there is no single complaint in this regard since his Government’s highest priority to farmers and agriculture.
