In a major initiative to help crisis ridden maize farmers, BS Yediyurappa led BJP Government in Karnataka has announced a third economic package worth Rs 512 crore rupees. In a press conference on Friday, Chief Minister Yediyurappa announced Rs 512 crore third economic package giving relief to maize farmers and incentivising ASHA workers, at the forefront in the fight against Covid-19.
Yediyurappa said While around 10 lakh maize farmers will get Rs 5,000 each, the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers would get an incentive of Rs 3,000 each through cooperative institutions.
“About 10 lakh maize farmers are suffering as they are not getting proper price, that is why I have decided to give Rs 5,000 relief to each farmer, it is about Rs 500 crore commitment,” he told reporters.
He said there were about 40,250 ASHA workers in the State and each would get Rs 3,000 each, which will add up to about Rs 12.50 crore.
“Despite the State financial condition being not good we have already announced financial packages for those in distress. First one was Rs 1,610 crore, second was Rs 162 core, this is the third one,” he added.The Yediyurappa-led BJP Government on Thursday had announced a Rs 162 crore financial relief package for vegetable and fruit growers and weavers of power looms, who are in distress because of Covid-19 induced lockdown.
Last week it announced Rs 1,610 crore relief package which included cash assistance of Rs 5,000 each to thousands of washermen, barbers, auto rickshaw and taxi drivers, whose life has been affected by the lockdown.
The package also included relief to farmers, flower growers, certain relaxation in electricity bills for MSMEs and large industries, Rs 2,000 for handloom weavers, and Rs 3,000 to building workers.
Yediyurappa also assured all possible assistance to the farming community, once the coronavirus crisis was overcome. “Farmers are my government's priority. If farmer is happy everyone is happy. As farmers are in distress, despite financial situation being not so good, we have announced this decision of Rs 5,000 to maize farmers.
Money will reach them soon,” he added.
In another development he announced that Karnataka is amending the law to enable its farmers sell their crop for the best price even outside the APMCs, said state Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Friday.
“The Karnataka Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees (APMCs) Act is being amended to empower millions of our farmers to sell their produce for the best price in the APMC yard or outside it,” Yediyurappa said.
The state cabinet on Thursday decided to amend the APMC Act through an ordinance to lift restriction on sale of farm produce and allow farmers to sell their crop in APMC yard or in private markets where they get the best price.
“The purpose of amending the law is to double the farmers' income as envisaged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The new law will enable our farmers to sell their produce to whoever gives him the best price at the APMC yard or outside it in a free market,” asserted Yediyurappa.
Lakhs of farmers and growers of foodgrains, vegetables, fruits and flowers across the southern state suffered huge losses over the last 50 days, as they could not harvest or sell their produce due to the lockdown enforced suddenly on March 25 and extended twice till May 17 to contain the spread of coronavirus spread and suspension of public transport service.