Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan visited hailstorm-hit areas of Vidisha district and interacted with the affected farmers. He inspected crops and assured all possible assistance to them. Revenue and Rehabilitation Minister and district in-charge, Rampal Singh, was also present on the occasion.
Chouhan assured the affected farmers at Atarikhejra village that loan recovery will be suspended and loan of the affected farmers will be paid by the Government. Food grain will be provided at the rate of Re 1 per kg to the farmers.
The Chief Minister said that distribution of relief will start soon after completion of the survey. He said that over 25 per cent loss to crops will be declared as 50 per cent and over 50 per cent loss to be termed 100 per cent loss. Cautioning members of the survey teams, he warned that negligence in this work will not be tolerated and strict action will be taken against officers and employees at fault. He directed to complete the work at the earliest with liberal assessment.
He said that relief will be provided to affected farmers at the earliest. Benefit of crop insurance will also be provided to them in time. He said fertilisers, seeds etc, will be provided to farmers at zero per cent interest rate for the next crop. Survey teams will also visit affected houses soon. The Chief Minister asked farmers not to feel helpless. The Government and the administration are standing by them. He said no farmer needs to worry as adequate assistance will be given.
Chouhan inspected the hailstorm-affected fields in villages Atarikhejda, Madhipur, Bilrai, Chakkapatni, Nadaur, Peepalkhera and Pathrai and assured the farmers regarding assistance. At village Chakkapani, the Chief Minister and Revenue and Rehabilitation Minister and in-charge of the district Rampal Singh met farmers on hunger strike and got their anshan ended. The Chief Minister directed accompanying officers to evaluate loss at the earliest.