Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria has drawn flak for announcing that farmers who committed suicides would not be entitled for any relief or compensation under the government's Calamity and Relief Fund.
Mr. Kataria, who also holds the Calamity and Relief Portfolio, on Thursday told the State Assembly that “farmers who hang themselves from trees cannot be taken in to account for compensation by the government,'' drawing sharp criticism from the opposition who have accused him of being insensitive towards the plight of the farmers.
Pradesh Congress president Sachin Pilot said it was unfortunate that the government was being discriminatory in providing relief. “The government needs to be more sensitive towards the plight of the farmers whose crops have been damaged in the recent untimely rain and hail storm. Many farmers died of shock while some have committed suicide due to their inability to repay loans,'' he said.
Mr. Pilot has demanded six months free electricity and waiving off of loans by the farmers in the wake of the disaster.
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot tweeted “State government needs to take the situation of farmers very seriously. They must be provided immediate relief as its already too late'' and “the farmers have been doomed due to heavy rain. It has already taken 37 farmers lives. The State government has failed to give compensation yet.''
Replying to a zero hour issue on farmers deaths in Rajasthan raised by Congress MLA Ramesh Meena, Mr. Kataria had told the House that 34 farmers had died after the torrential rains spelled disaster in the State. He said the government had already released Rs 3 lakh each for the families of these farmers, but “those who hang themselves from trees cannot be taken into account for compensation by the government.''
Mr. Kataria further said Collectors had been empowered and provided with funds to provide compensation to farmers whose more than 50 per cent crops had been destroyed in the rains. Also, they would get job under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.
The damage assessment report from the affected districts is expected to be submitted to the State on Saturday based on which the quantum of compensation would be decided by the authorities.
