A sum of Rs.465 crore has so far been given to those affected by heavy rainfall during the northeast monsoon last year.
An amount of Rs.75 crore has been given to legal heirs of those who died as well as those who lost their cattle and dwelling units. Of Rs.400 crore sanctioned for the payment of compensation towards crop damage, Rs.390 crore has been released to primary agricultural cooperative banks, which in turn are disbursing the amount due to farmers, according to a senior official. Apart from giving Rs.200 crore for the execution of temporary restoration works, the State government has cleared Rs.500 crore for permanent restoration works. Of this amount, the Rural Development and Municipal Administration-Water Supply Departments have been sanctioned Rs.150 crore each. The Public Works Department has been given Rs.75 crore and the Highways Rs.125 crore.
The government, in its order issued a couple of weeks ago, advised the Departments to give priority to 10 coastal districts. Before disbursing the amount, it should be ensured that supervision of works is carried out by experts who are not from the Departments concerned.
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About 4.3 lakh hectares have been affected, of which around 2.2 lakh hectares come under rain-fed farming and 2.1 lakh hectares fall under irrigated farming. Besides, nearly 3,500 hectares, where perennial crops were being raised, had been hit.
The compensation sanctioned by the State government for farmers is much higher than what is allowed under the norms of the Union government, the official says.
No formal communication is yet to be received on the State government's request for Rs.1,832 crore.
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