CM KCR announces financial assistance of Rs 228 crore to rain-hit farmers

CM KCR announced a relief and rehabilitation assistance of Rs.10,000 per acre, which is higher than Central recommendations, for the crops damaged due to the recent hailstorms and unseasonal rains in Telangana

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao announced a relief and rehabilitation assistance of Rs.10,000 per acre, which is higher than Central recommendations, for the crops damaged due to the recent hailstorms and unseasonal rains in Telangana. Orders were issued sanctioning Rs.228.25 crore for distribution of the financial assistance to farmers on Thursday evening itself.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, the Chief Minister said the financial assistance would be offered equally to all crops. Standing crops in around 2.28 lakh acres, including 1.29 lakh acres of maize, 72,709 acres of paddy, 8,865 acres of mango and 17,238 acres of other crops, were damaged.

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“We will extend an amount of Rs.228 crore as relief and rehabilitation support to farmers. The entire amount will be borne by the State government, without seeking the Centre’s help,” Chandrashekhar Rao said. Chief Secretary A Santhi Kumari was directed to issue necessary orders in this connection.

Earlier, Chandrashekhar Rao toured the four affected districts of Khammam, Mahabubabad, Warangal and Karimnagar and conducted an aerial survey of the agricultural lands to examine the damaged crops. He also interacted with farmers who suffered severe losses due to hailstorms and rains. Steps would be taken to see that tenant farmers would receive the financial support extended by the government by making required amendments in the rules, the Chief Minister said.

“We have come a long way through numerous initiatives like Rythu Bandhu, Rythu Bima, free power and water supply to support our farmers and make agriculture profitable. We do not want this progress go waste. Hence, the State government will bear the entire amount to support our farmers,” he said.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister who interacted with the affected farmers, urged them not to get disheartened by the crop loss as the State government was ready to support them by all means. “Ours is a farmers’ government. You need not lose hope and get disheartened due to the crop damage. We are here to extend all support,” he assured them.

During the whirlwind tour, Chandrashekhar Rao reached Ramapuram village in Bonakal mandal of Khammam district by helicopter, where he visited the villages of Garlapadu, Govindapuram, Lakshmipuram, Ravinoothala and Mushtikuntla. Later, he arrived at Reddykunta Thanda hamlet in Peddavangara mandal of Mahabubabad district, followed Adavi Rangapuram in Duggondi mandal of Warangal district, and Lakshmipuram in Ramadugu mandal in Karimnagar district.