The State Government on Monday announced a special package for agriculture and other sectors which sustained huge loss due to recent severe cyclonic storm Phailin and consequent floods.
The special package was approved by the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at a high-level meeting on the post-cyclone and floods measures. The package would be implemented in respect of agriculture, animal husbandry, fishery, handicraft and handloom, sericulture and education sectors.
Announcing the special package, the Chief Minister said that his Government was very much concerned about the sufferings of the farmers, weavers, fishermen and students who have been severely affected by the twin calamity of cyclone and floods and therefore was taking an initiative to ameliorate the suffering.
Stating that the flood and cyclone caused extensive damage to the standing crops, the Chief Minister said that minimum assistance to any affected farmers shall not be less than Rs 2,000. “Hundred per cent remission in respect of cess on land revenue and compulsory basic water rate will be given to farmers where the crop loss is 50 per cent or more,” he said.
He said that agriculture input subsidy at the rate of Rs 4,500 per hectare for rainfed areas, Rs 9,000 per hectare in assured irrigated areas and Rs 12, 000 per hectare for all types of perennial crops like mango, cashew, coconut, kewra and betel vine etc. would be provided to the affected farmers. The eligible amount will be paid to the actual cultivators who have suffered crop loss to the extent of 50 per cent or more and assistance would be provided after joint assessment of crop loss by the Agriculture and Revenue personnel, he said.
Highlighting the special Rabi package for farmers, the Chief Minister said that crop loans during the current Rabi season would be made available to the affected farmers at 5 per cent interest which would be further reduced to 2 per cent in case of timely repayment. “Affected loanee farmers shall not be treated as defaulters for non-payment of the existing loan,” Patnaik said.
As many as four lakh pulses kits and high quality vegetable seeds to five lakh affected farmers will be distributed at 90 per cent subsidy and demonstration of crops over more than one lakh hectares will be taken up during the ensuing Rabi season, he informed. The package envisages provision of early distribution of quality seeds in sufficient quantity for alternate cropping in Rabi season. Besides, additional seed money of Rs 5,000 would be given to the affected Self Help Groups who have taken up cultivation and sustained crop loss, he said.
Under the animal husbandry sector, assistance to small and marginal farmers will be given for replacement of milch animals, draught animals or animals used for haulage. at the rate of Rs 16,400 for buffalo, cow etc and Rs 1,650 for sheep and goat. Similarly, for draught animals, the assistance would be at the rate of Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 for calf. User fee in veterinary treatment would be fully exempted, he said.
In fishery sector, the package provides assistance to fishermen for repair and replacement of boats, nets, canoe and catamaran damaged or lost as per CRF and SDRF norms between Rs 1,500 to Rs 7, 000.
Under the handicraft and handloom sector, the special package provides assistance to the tune of Rs 3,000 per artisan for replacement of tools and equipment and Rs 3,000 per artisan for loss of raw material, goods in processed and finished goods. Similarly, sericulture would be given agriculture input subsidy at the rate of Rs 3,200 per hectare for Eri, Mulberry, Tussar and Rs 4,000 per hectare for Muga.
As per the package, school fees and examination fees up to high school level in Government schools would be waived in the affected areas while two pairs of school uniform and text books would be provided to the children up to high school level. Besides, funds would be provided for repair and restoration of school and college buildings on priority basis, the package said.