Compensation for crop loss, house damage in rain as per rules, says Minister

Farmers who have lost crops and families whose houses have been damaged in heavy rain and floods will receive compensation as per rules, district in-charge Minister Santosh Lad said in Dharwad on Sunday.

He said that as per preliminary estimates, rain has damaged 223 houses in the district.

Steps have already been taken to provide relief to these households as per government norms, the Minister added.

According to preliminary reports from the agriculture and horticulture departments, crops in 97,612 hectares have been damaged in the district.

They include 79,697 hectares of green gram, 6,550 hectares of black gram, 7,250 hectares of soybean, 50 hectares of maize.

Among horticultural crops, chilli in 915 hectares, onion in 2,920 hectares and garlic in 230 hectares have suffered damage.

At a meeting, the Minister asked officials to ensure that a precise joint survey is completed soon and due compensation released.

He asked officials to ensure that there are no lapses in relief measures. “Helping those in distress should be our foremost duty. The crop loss survey must be completed quickly and the report submitted without delay,” he said.

Deputy Commissioner Divya Prabhu G.R.J. stated that officials from the agriculture and horticulture departments have been engaged in crop loss surveys for the past 15 days.

She instructed them to submit the final consolidated report by Monday evening. After the report is submitted, farmers will be given a week’s time to file objections, if any.

She stressed that the survey must be carried out systematically and in line with regulations so that all affected farmers receive relief.