TN unveils ₹2,247-cr package for drought-hit farmers

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has announced a ₹2,247-crore package for the drought-hit farmers.

“We held a meeting today to discuss the compensation to be paid to the farmers. It was decided to sanction ₹2,247 crore for 32,30,191 farmers hit by drought. The money will be credited to the accounts of the farmers,” an official statement quoting the Chief Minister said.

Under the package, the compensation for paddy and irrigated crops will be ₹ 5,465 per acre and farmers whose rain-fed lands have been hit by drought will be given ₹ 3,000 per acre. Also, the government would offer ₹7,287 per acre for long-term crops. Each sericulture farmer will be given ₹2,428 to ₹3,000 per acre.

The report submitted to the government based on surveys conducted by ministers and IAS officials across districts affected by the drought revealed that about 87 per cent of agriculture lands were affected by drought.

About ₹2,049 crore has been sanctioned for crops damaged in 46.27 lakh acres. Farmers who have cultivated horticultural crops on 3.27 lakh acres will get a total sum of ₹197 crore, and sericulture farmers will get ₹ 1 crore (total 3,658 acres).

Also, under the crop insurance programme, 14.99 lakh farmers, who have registered under the scheme, may get compensation in the range of ₹4,800-₹ 69,000 per acre depending on the crop, district and the extent of damage.

The government has declared that all districts have been hit by drought, while outlining various measures being taken to tackle the crisis due to drought. During this year’s north-east monsoon season, Tamil Nadu witnessed the lowest rainfall in the past 140 years, said the statement. The State government has sanctioned about ₹350 crore and ₹160 crore to address the water shortages in rural and urban areas respectively. It has also requested the Centre to release ₹39,565 crore from the NDRF towards drought relief.