Summary:
He also directed to provide fresh finance to affected farmers for Rabi crop.The chief minister directed the districts collectors to keep close watch on money lenders and other unscrupulous elements causing financial hardship to the farmers. Input subsidy for perennial crops will be Rs 18,000 per acre.Announcing it here, the chief minister said the assistance shall be provided to actual cultivators. Also, due date of kharif short term loans advanced in the affected areas shall be extended up to September 30, 2019.Naveen said the Centre will be requested to provide interest incentive of 3 per cent for converted medium term loans. Police have been asked to initiate tough action against such elements under the Odisha Money Lenders Act.The tuition fees and examination fees in government and aided schools and colleges in drought affected areas will be waived.To provide alternate livelihood opportunities to affected farmers, the state government decided to take up works like establishment of water harvesting structures and de-silting of field channels through MGNREGS.Over 20,000 numbers of landless, marginal and small farmers in drought affected areas will be provided livelihood support in terms of backyard poultry. BHUBANESWAR: As over 2.33 lakh hectares of crop areas in nine western districts were affected by drought, chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday announced package to compensate the farmers.Farmers who have sustained crop loss of 33 per cent and above will get input subsidy (cash assistance to compensate the investment in agriculture) of Rs 6,800 per acre in rainfed areas and Rs 13,500 per hectare in assured irrigated areas..