reported by, Mayuresh Ganapatye
edited by: Oindrila Mukherjee
Last Update: April 05, 2023, 20:52 IST
Maharashtra currently provides financial assistance to farmers if there is more than 65 mm of rain, hailstorm or no rain at all. (Image: Reuters / File)
The state government has decided to include ‘incessant rain’ in the ambit of natural calamity, so that farmers can get financial help in case of crop failure.
In a major relief to farmers, the Maharashtra government has decided to change the definition of ‘natural calamity’ and include ‘incessant rain’ – more than 10 mm of rain for five consecutive days – in its purview. Due to frequent unseasonal rains and other natural calamities, farmers have to face adversities like crop damage and poor yield.
The decision was taken in the state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday. If there is more than 10 mm of rain for five consecutive days, it will be considered a natural calamity.
Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said that this decision has been taken in the interest of the farmers. He said that if it rains continuously every day, then farmers can get financial help in case of crop failure. Assistance is currently provided when there is more than 65 mm of rain, hail or no rain at all. But the minister said the state government has decided to include the incessant rain as a natural calamity.
Agriculture Minister Abdul Sattar said that this decision is in the interest of the farmers. Incessant rains would be considered as a natural calamity, while how to make policy and rules for this was also discussed.
He further said that for it to be considered a natural calamity, there should be 10 mm of rain for at least five days. Some ministers have also given instructions on what to do if the crop gets damaged due to three days of rain instead of five. He said it remains to be seen how this is received by the farmers and the opposition parties.
Farmer leader Ajit Navale welcomed the decision but also suggested that the government should not focus only on the amount of rainfall or limit it to 10 mm. It has also been seen many times in the past that the crop gets damaged in less than 10 mm of rain. Navale said that in such a situation the farmers will not get the help they need.
He further said that in such a case it should be based on the damaged crops and not on the rainfall. He said that rainfall is not uniform in all parts of the state and therefore it would be unfair to give assistance on the basis of 10 mm of rain.
Navale also said that the state government should also consider revising its norms for crop insurance and NDRF compensation, which have been long pending demands by various farmers’ organisations.
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