Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has hinted that Centre would work with the state governments to raise the compensation limit for farmers affected by unseasonal rain and hailstorms. He said, the Prime Minister was deeply concerned about the loss to the farmers. Interacting with farmers in Timeli, one of the worst affected villages of Rajasthan, Mr. Jaitley yesterday noted that there was major damage to crops in Bundi district. He assured the farmers of all possible help from the Centre.
He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had directed central ministers to visit the most affected areas so that assistance and compensation can be facilitated to the farmers. Mr. Jaitley took an aerial survey to assess the damage to crops and was briefed by district collector. The minister said, the Centre in coordination with the state government will provide all possible help to the affected farmers.
Later talking to journalists in Jaipur, Mr. Jaitley said, an inter-ministerial team would visit Rajasthan for assessment of farmers’ demands after the state submits its memorandum on crop loss due to rain and hailstorms. He was speaking after holding a high-level presentation meeting in presence of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. The Finance Minister said there is a need to change norms of Calamity Relief Fund. During the meeting with the Finance Minister, the Chief Minister demanded amendments in the provisions of State Disaster Response Fund in order to provide immediate relief to the affected people. She also demanded change in guidelines of MGNREGA scheme so that employment for 200 days may be given in the affected areas.