The debt-ridden farmers are nowadays grappling with the inordinate delay in release of input subsidy by the government.
More than 2.5 lakh farmers in Krishna district are awaiting release of Rs. 105.48 crore towards input subsidy for the crop damaged owing to natural calamities since 2008.
Heavy rains and cyclones have damaged crops in 1.32 lakh hectare in the district. Officials pegged the crop loss in 325 hectares caused by rains and cyclone in 2008 at Rs. 14.63 lakh. The loss touched Rs. 72.97 lakh in 1216.31 hectares in Jaggaiahpet mandal alone owing to heavy rains in December 2010.
The loss was heavy due to Helen cyclone that hit the district in November 2013. The area damaged was estimated to be 790066.26 hectares and loss was put at Rs. 79.06 crore. The loss suffered during Thane cyclone in December 2011 was estimated to be Rs. 14.35 crore.
Unseasonal rains and hailstorms in February 2013 inflicted a loss of Rs. 5.75 crore. In all, 251296 farmers suffered damages in 102795 hectares, official sources said. According to information, the total input subsidy, which the government, has to release is pegged at Rs. 105.48 crore.
‘Funds an eyewash’
The government has to release a matching grant for the funds released by the Centre during the natural calamities. But, it has been delaying the release of input subsidy, says Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangham district secretary J. Prabhakar. The assistance paid to farmers during the calamities has always been an eyewash, if the recent experiences are any indication.
The farmers suffered loss to the tune of Rs. 765 crore due to cyclone in 2003. But, the Centre released Rs.171 crore while the State government released Rs. 57.32 crore.
The district witnessed heavy rains in October 2009 and the total loss was Rs. 12,456 crore. The Central and State governments released Rs. 1206.88 crore and Rs. 104 crore respectively.
The farmers suffered a loss of Rs. 1603 crore during Laila cyclone in May 2010. But, the Centre released mere Rs. 74 crore and the State government has not released a single penny. Similar trend was witnessed during Jal cyclone in May 2010. The loss was estimated as Rs. 672 crore. The Central government released Rs. 300 crore, the farmer leader points out.
More than 2.5 lakh farmers in Krishna are awaiting input subsidy for the
crop damaged
since 2008
Rythu Sangham seeks a matching grant for the Central funds released during 0natural calamities
