Declaring the entire state of Haryana as drought-affected for Kharif 2014, the Haryana government has sought Central assistance of Rs 4,829 crore to compensate farmers.
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said a special girdawri has been ordered to assess the loss cause due to continued dry spell. He said in case of more than 50 per cent damage to paddy and cotton crops, a compensation of Rs 4,000 per acre will be given. It will be Rs 3,500 per acre for other crops. The Central government norms for the same are Rs 1,800 and Rs 3,600 he said, adding that his government has submitted a memorandum to the Central government for a special package. Mr. Hooda disclosed that according to the data collected from the India Meteorological Department from June 1st to August 31, there was more than 65 per cent rainfall deficit in the State as compared to the normal average. Eighteen out of 21 States have received less than 50 per cent rainfall.
He further said that out of the special package demanded, Rs 1191 crore is for the State power utilities who have been meeting the irrigation needs of farmers by supplying eight hour power, sourced at high rates for agricultural tube-wells.
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Criticising the Central government’s scheme of diesel subsidy announced on August 4, Mr. Hooda said it suffers from serious issues of implementation and farmers will not be able to get the required relief in the drought-affected State. Quoting inputs from the agriculture department, Mr Hooda said kharif crops require 10 protective irrigations to sustain the paddy crop from July 15 to September 30 with cost of each irrigation calculated at Rs 514 per acre.