In March, the state government which assured that it would provide Rs 10,000 compensation per acre to the damaged crops is likely to expand the benefit to farmers who lost their crops due to rains after the announcement.
The state government, following the visit of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to rain-hit areas on March 23 in Warangal and Khammam districts approved Rs 228 crores for payment of compensation to farmers.
However, the farmers are yet to get the announced amount as the enumeration of damaged crops is persistent. But, in April too, rain played havoc with other farmers several times.
Sources in the government indicated that the farmers who lost the crops after March would also get compensation. However, it is not clear whether the Rs 228 crores already assured and the amount to be announced for the farmers who suffered because of rain in April would be given in one go or not.
Sources in BRS said that the slogan of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is ‘ab ki baar kisaan sarkar’. We will offer compensation to all the farmers. The enumeration is presently taking place. Some farmers completely lost their crops due to the rains. Some suffered less damage. The government will purchase the discoloured paddy. Also, we are evaluating the loss. The compensation will be paid once the enumeration is completed.
BRS leader also stated that the party meeting to be held today will discuss the crop damages in the State and adopt a resolution in favour of farmers. In the meantime, several ministers and leaders visited the rain-hit areas in their respective districts. BRS working president KT Rama Rao held a teleconference with officials of Sircilla on crop damage due to rain last night.
Meanwhile, T Harish Rao, Finance Minister who visited rain-affected villages in the erstwhile Medak district yesterday interacted with the farmers. He visited several villages in the Dubbaka constituency.
He assured the farmers not to worry as the government would stand by them in their hour of crisis. Also, some farmers broke down in front of the minister. He told them not to worry as the government would pay up to Rs 10,000 per acre for the damaged crops. According to Harish Rao, in the Siddipet district, paddy on 35,000 acres has been harmed due to rains.
