In a bid to provide comfort to the farmers, whose crops were damaged due to unseasonal rain, the State Government has decided to give compensation to the affected. To ensure the compensation reaches them in time, additional secretary Horticulture and Agriculture have appointed nodal officers. Besides, the State Government has released Rs10 crore. State will also distribute free of cost seeds and seeds of Ginger and Garlic will be given under 75 per cent subsidy. State Government will be giving Rs50,000 cash assistance to the statehood activists or their spouse for medical needs.
Impressed with ASHA workers in the registration of genuine recipients of the Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme, launched from Bageshwar on April 10, the CM has announced Rs1,000 cash reward to the every ASHA worker, excluding those from Dehradun.
Due to untimely rain, the farmers’ crops were severely damaged. To aid farmers, the State earmarked Rs25 crore. he first installment of Rs10 crore and Rs5 crore each to agriculture and horticulture department will be released by Monday. The farmers who lost crops over 30 per cent will be eligible for this benefit. To ensure timely disbursal of money, we have appointed additional secretary Horticulture and Agriculture as nodal officers. CM also made it clear that no Government can compensate their farmers as per their loss. It would be just a token help from the State Government. If the Union Government gives us funds we would distribute more to them.
State Government would give 75 per cent subsidy to the farmers if they purchase ginger and turmeric seeds from the State. Besides, the State Government would also distribute mini-kits containing seeds to the farmers. Even cooperative banks have been asked to delay their recovery of agriculture and horticulture loans for the next six months and State would incur their loss till September 30. Even revenue, irrigation departments have been instructed to waive their revenue for next six months. The State would bear their electricity surcharge as well. As we have collected data of loss on primary level but our priority is to provide succor to the farmers only, he said.
The CM was all praise for the officials because the State Government has spent Rs10,157 crore out of Rs13,634 crore in the year 2014-15. If you compare the last three years, things would be found better than what they were under the BJP regime. As far as disaster affected areas’ reconstruction is concerned, we have been working hard and Kedarnath roads are better than what they were over the past 60 years.