The Chhattisgarh Assembly on Wednesday witnessed uproarious scenes over the issue of compensation to farmers affected by drought. Opposition Congress members also staged a walkout on the issue by expressing dissatisfaction with the reply of Revenue Minister Prem Prakash Pandey.
Raising the compensation issue during question hour, Congress member Chunnilal Sahu sought information about distribution of compensation to farmers affected by drought in Akaltara Assembly constituency of Janjgir-Champa district.
Responding to the question of the Congress member, Pandey said of the 11366 affected farmers, compensation has been given to 6877 farmers while process is underway for distribution of compensation to remaining 4489 farmers.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the Minister’s reply, member of Congress member Bhupesh Baghel alleged that due to negligible approach of the administration, drought-hit farmers in various parts of Chhattisgarh are still to get compensation.
In previous Assembly session, the Chief Minister had declared to give relaxation of 25 percent to farmers in agriculture loan if they pay 75 per cent of their loan amount in single installment and the announcement was made for all 117 drought-hit tehsils of the State, said Baghel, adding that owning to the announcement of the Chief Minister, large number of farmers have paid 75 percent of their loan in one go and they are still to get benefit according to the announcement.
Refuting the Opposition’s charges, Pandey said that the announcement made by the Chief Minister will be implemented in the same manner. The State government has announced of providing the facility to farmers affected by drought in 117 drought-hit tehsils.
Following the reply of Pandey, Congress members staged a walkout from the House.