Congress seeks compensation for crop damage caused by non-seasonal rainfall

Mumbai: Non-seasonal rainfall in Maharashtra has damaged crops on 22,233 hectares of land. Onion, mango, bajra (pearl millet), corn, banana and vegetable farmers suffered heavy losses in the Jargon and Nashik regions of North Maharashtra. Large-scale damage of mung beans, Jowar (sorghum), oranges, bananas and onions in the Amravati region. Of the 22,233 hectares of land, only 10,636 hectares of crops were damaged in the Amravati region of Vidalba. Congress on Wednesday demanded immediate panchnamas (assessment of damages) and financial aid to farmers.

Maharashtra has witnessed non-seasonal rains and hail since May 1. Non-seasonal rainfall and hail caused heavy losses.

A Ministry of Agriculture official said seasonal rainfall in Nashik, Jarana, Amalawati, Dul, Dul, Chandrapur and Nashik areas on May 5 and May 6 caused major crops. “The highest damages were reported in Amravati with 10,636 hectares of land, followed by 4,396 hectares in Jalgaon, 1,734 hectares in Nashik, 1,695 hectares in Jalna, 1,038 hectares in Chandrapur, 796 hectares in Palghar and 645 hectares in Dhule districts,” the official said refers to the main report prepared by the Agricultural Commission.

Maharashtra Congress director Harshvardhan Sapkal demanded financial aid from tillers as this natural disaster hit farmers and the state’s BJP-led coalition government is still asleep. “The government must immediately conduct Panchnamas and provide assistance to farmers who are already in crisis, and has now been hit by another blow,” he said.

Mr Sapkar said farmers are already facing difficulties and injustice as the government canceled a crop insurance scheme. The plan is used to provide some compensation. “The new insurance scheme based on crop harvesting is not in the interest of farmers. Scams have come to light in the new scheme, but the government lacks the courage to act against the culprits. If there are flaws in the scheme, they should be rectified. The scheme should not be scrapped. Congress demands that the Rs one crop insurance scheme be reinstated,” the Maharashtra Congress chief said.