Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is likely to announce hefty relief for rain-hit farmers at a public meeting in West Delhi’s Mundka area on Saturday. It is estimated that 4,000-5,000 acre crops have been affected due to unseasonal rain and hailstorm in the national Capital. Over 100 villages have been affected. The Revenue Department has already completed a ground survey of the affected villages and now it is in the process of reaching out to farmers to assess their damages.
According to sources, the amount of relief would be in lakhs while the Central Government norms give only Rs9,000 per acre per farmer as compensation in the case of damaged crops. It is also possible that relief may not be only monetary as Chief Minister may announce relief scheme for them.
Interestingly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday had announced 50 per cent hike in compensation and relaxed criteria for availing Government support for the affected farmers.
According to the official, Kejriwal will also discuss the Government’s policy for farmers during the meeting. “There are many farmers in the rural areas of Delhi and near the banks of Yamuna who are affected due to unseasonal rain. Chief Minister is planning to make big announcement for their relief,” a senior official said.
A large number of farmers are expected to gather in the agricultural belt of Mundka area.
“The Chief Minister will also listen to the problems faced by farmers,” the official said. The issue of compensation for farmers was raised during the Budget Session in Delhi Assembly by AAP MlAs Devendra Sehrawat and Naresh Balyan. Following the meeting in Mundka, Kejriwal will hold another public hearing to discuss the issue of unauthorised colonies in Delhi in Karawal Nagar area on Sunday.
“He is likely to discuss government’s initiative and roadmap for the people
living in unauthorised colonies. Recently Government announced registration of houses in unauthorised colonies,” the official said.