Bhubaneswar: The state government has urged Centre to release its share of `795crore for 11 lakh farmers affected by drought in 2015 who are eligible to get insurance claims.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Wednesday wrote to Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh to sanction pending drought aid of `795.31crore to Orissa.
Patnaik, in his letter urged Singh to approve of the delayed submission of the crop yield data for Kharif 2015 season and provide the Central share “so that the claims could be released to 11.61 farmers who are eligible to receive insurance claims pertaining to Kharif 2015.”
More than 21 lakh farmers in state were covered under NIAS during Kharif 2015 and AIC of India, the designated implementation agency of NAIS, has approved claims of `1776.34crore for Kharif 2015 season for Orissa October 5, 2015. Of the total claim of `1776.34crore the Central share is 795.31crore.
‘‘The state has sanctioned its share which will be disbursed to the farmers as soon as the Central share is received,” he added.
The Chief Minister pointed out farmers in Orissa have made all out efforts and incurred expenses for agricultural activities during Rabi 2015-16 and Kharif 2016.
“In order to help the farmers overcome the adverse impact of the unprecedented dought last year, it is essential that their insurance claims are settled at the earliest without any delay,” he said.
Naveen further said the government has been taking a number of measures to alleviate the hardship faced by farmers due to paucity of rainfall.
Notably, state government in its final drought assessment report to Centre submitted January 15 had sought Central assistance of `2344.99 crore for 28 drought-hit districts. In its report the government has cited that 3832 Gram Panchayats, 55 ULBs in these 28 districts are drought-prone.
Although the state government had said September 24 that crop insurance will be distributed to farmers within two weeks, it is yet to distribute.
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