Estimating a crop loss of Rs 1,100 crore due to unseasonal rains that lashed the state in recent past Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan said that farmers died because of rain related incidents and their deaths have nothing to do with crop loss. He said during the first phase of rain 18 deaths were reported and in second phase toll was 17. In all 35 people died of various reasons like lightening and house collapse.
There were reports that farmers have committed suicide after their crop was damaged in the rains. “Investigations have been carried out and there is no direct link between deaths and loss of crop,” Ranjan told reporters here on Monday.He said Government has paid Rs 7 lakh as ex-gratia to the kin of those farmers who died in rains. This is much more than central assistance of Rs 1.5 lakh. Government initially added Rs 3.5 lakh to this compensation to make it Rs 5 lakh and later Chief Minister increase this amount to Rs 7 lakh, he said and added directives have been issued to extend all relief to the farmers at the earliest.
According to government estimate over 5 lakh farmers, spread over in 39 districts, have been affected by the rains. Ranjan puts the crop loss to the tune of Rs 1,100 crore. “The initial estimate was Rs 744 crore, which rose to Rs 850 crore in 33 districts, but as six more districts have been affected in last three days, the estimate has gone above Rs 1,100 crore,” he said.
Ranjan carried out a video conferencing with divisional commissioners and DMs of the affected region. They have asked to disburse the relief amount to the farmers. “Government had earlier sanctioned Rs 200 crore as compensation and on Monday Chief Minister has announced additional Rs 500 crore. Efforts are on to arrange additional funds for the farmers,” he said.
"We have also sought funds from the central government to extend relief to farmers. Chief Minister had written a letter to prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard. A central team would visit the affected districts on April 8,” he said. When asked about fudging in relief reports Chief Secretary said in some cases it was brought to the notice of state government that lekhpals were conducting survey from their homes. “DMs have been asked to carry out random survey to ensure right beneficiary gets government assistance,” he said.