The Central study team on Madhya Pradesh visit to take stock of loss to crops and other things called on Chief Secretary Anthony de Sa at Mantralaya on Saturday and shared their experiences of their tour in the districts of the State. The Central team led by Union Joint Secretary Sanjay lohiya toured over one dozen districts in three groups on March 14 and 15.
Madhya Pradesh Government had demanded Rs 5723.65 crore package from the Central government in the memorandum submitted earlier to provide relief against loss to crops, human lives, cattle heads and properties. This memorandum was based on losses upto March 5.
Further loss has been suffered by crops in some districts due to excessive rains and hailstorm, about which a supplementary report has been prepared. In this report, the state government has sought Rs 239.57 crore in addition to previous amount. In this way, total amount of state’s memorandum has risen to Rs 5,963.22 crore.
Chief Secretary DeSa sought information from the Central study team about their tours. He informed the team in detail about the basis of demand of special package by Madhya Pradesh government. The Chief Secretary informed that the calamity has caused widespread damage. Apart from relief, farmers need various other kinds of assistance at least for next six months to help them overcome economic crisis. For this, various State Government departments have swung into action.
The State Government will have to bear considerable burden due to suspension of farmers’ old loans and converting their short-term loans into long-term ones. Madhya Pradesh Government has decided to provide farmers with over 50 per cent loss food grains and other material through PDS as specially subsidised rates till December 31, 2014. Due amounts of electricity bills are not being recovered from farmers with over 50 per loss.
Madhya Pradesh Government has also decided to provide premium of crop insurance scheme of target group of affected people and benefit of Mukhyamantri Kanyadan Yojana at home instead of mass marriage functions.