Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has directed immediate survey of loss to crops due to the recent hailstorm in the villages of the State. He said that the State Government stands by the farmers in this hour of crisis. He would himself visit the hailstorm-affected areas from March 18. According to information received so far, over 1,000 villages in 15 districts have suffered heavy damage- among 1,400 affected villages.
At a meeting late Monday evening here, the Chief Minister reviewed losses due to hailstorm. He said that staff of Revenue, Agriculture and Panchayat departments should be included in the joint survey teams. Information about assessment of losses should be displayed on notice boards of the panchayats. Damage to crops stacked in barns after harvesting should also be assessed and compensation against it should also be paid.
The Chief Minister made it clear that fair approach should be adopted in the assessment of losses. Figures of survey should not be more or less but accurate. He also said that the State Government will stand by the farmers in this hour of crisis even if it has to suspend any other work.
The meeting was informed that mainly crops of wheat and gram along with isabgol and coriander have suffered damage in the affected villages. All these crops will be included in compensation. Chief Secretary Anthony DeSa, PS to CM SK Mishra, PS Agriculture Rajesh Rajora and PS Revenue Arun Tiwari attended the meeting.