Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced a slew of sops for farmers facing hardship due to crop failure in the wake of drought-like conditions in the poll-bound State.
“It has been decided that interest on the crop loans taken by farmers, hit by the drought-like conditions, shall be borne by the State Government, which would be around Rs 300 crore,” Modi told newsmen on the sidelines of his Vivekananda Yuva Vikas Yatra.
“The Government has also decided to give 50 per cent relief in the electricity bills of such farmers,” he said.
“It’s also the responsibility of the State Government to be concerned about farmers who are facing hardships, on account of drought-like situation prevailing in Gujarat, earlier,” he said.
The monsoon arrival in this part of Western Coast was somewhat delayed this year. It touched Gujarat coast around June 17, but remained static for a long time, leading to drought-like conditions in many parts of the State.
Regions of Kutch and Saurashtra were the worst hit with over 70 per cent deficient rainfall reported, in first spell of monsoon.
However, the situation has changed somewhat in the last fortnight with rains lashing the State.
Hit by crop failure, several farmers, mainly from Saurashtra region, had committed suicide.
Opposition Congress has made farmers suicide a major issue ahead of the polls in Gujarat, accusing the ruling BJP Government of inaction.