Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government today announced a special package for the people affected by the extremely severe Cyclone Titli and subsequent floods that hit 17 districts of the State.
Chairing a high level meeting at the State Secretariat here today evening, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced special financial package and other benefits for the people in the affected districts.
- School fees and examination fees waived
- 100 percent remission in respect of cess on land revenue
- Agriculture input subsidy to farmers
- Short Term Kharif loans be converted into Medium Term (Conversion) Loan
- Compensation to farmers for loss of animal
- 100 percent remission in respect of cess on land revenue
- Financial assistance to affected women SHGs
- Input subsidy to sericulture farmers
- Financial assistance to artisans engaged in handicraft and handloom sector
- Fishermen to get financial support for purchase and repairing of boat
Agriculture
The State Government has decided to provide agriculture input subsidy of Rs Rs. 6,800/- per hectare of land in rainfed/non irrigated areas to the small and marginal farmers who have sustained crop loss of 33% and above, Rs.13,500/- per ha of land in areas under assured irrigation, and Rs.18,000/- per hectare for all types of perennial crops, such as mango, cashew, coconut, Kewra, Betel vine etc.
The actual cultivators will receive the financial assistance, official sources said.
Agricultural input subsidy to any affected farmer shall not be less than Rs.2000 for perennial crops and Rs.1000/- for other crops.
The government will provide 1,20,000 no. of pulses, 30,000 oilseed minikits, and 50,000 vegetable seed kits totalling to 2,00,000 nos. of special minikits to the Titili affected farmers during Rabi 2018-19. 20,000 hectares of demonstration programmes of several crops will be implemented in the Titli-hit districts in the ensuing Rabi season, while 20,000 hectares of plantation crops affected by cyclone Titili will be revived along with support for inter-cropping package for three years.
The decision has been take to extend income support in the initial period to the farmers, while the plantations become fruit-bearing.
The Government will also provide special assistance to the affected area of 2,000 hectares under sugarcane for demonstration on Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative at the rate of Rs.20,000/- per Ha. or Ratoon Crop Management at the rate of Rs.12,500/- based on the farmer’s requirement.
Financial incentive amounting Rs 7,000 will be given to 2,000 farmers for per unit for cultivating Root and Tuber crops. Incentive at the rate of Rs.10,000 unit will also be given for repair and renovation of shednet and thatched structure for restoration of mushroom units to 500 farmers. 1000 pump sets shall be provided with 50% subsidy limited to a maximum of Rs.15,000.
The government will also provide 1000 nos. of solar pump sets (0.5 HP) to affected farmers with 90% subsidy limited to Rs.54000, per pump set under Saura Jalanidhi.
As many as 5000 Sprayers will be distributed to the affected farmers in the disaster affected areas at a subsidy of 50% limited to maximum of Rs.3800 for battery operated sprayers and Rs.600 for hand operated sprayers.
Nearly 75,000 farmers in the affected districts will be given training on how to boost cultivation of pulses and oilseeds crops. For pulses and oilseeds crops, Government has decided to train 75,000 nos. of affected farmers by conducting 750 number of camps to adopt seed treatment with free supply of seed treatment chemicals to cover 75,000 acres for increasing production in Rabi crops.
Fruit saplings will be distributed to sustain livelihoods of 50,000 affected farmers @ 5 mango grafts and @ 4 coconut seedlings per family.
Immediate steps will be taken to arrange and distribute quality seeds in sufficient quantity for alternate cropping in Rabi season.
Odisha Lift Irrigation Corporation shall take immediate steps to repair the Lift Irrigation Points in all the affected villages on priority. Steps shall be taken to operate all LI points during Rabi season. Energy Department shall energised the LI Points immediately.
Farm Credit:
Short Term Kharif loans advanced in the affected areas during Kharif 2018 having crop loss of 33% and above shall be converted into Medium Term (Conversion) Loan.
Due date of Kharif short term loan advanced in the affected areas shall be extended up to 30th September, 2019 to facilitate conversion of such loans into Medium Term (Conversion ) Loans.
Expeditious steps will be taken to organise Joint Liability Groups(JLG) by covering maximum number of share croppers / Oral lessees to provide them credit during current Rabi season.
Expeditious steps will be taken to conduct crop cutting experiments to settle the claims of the affected insured farmers under crop insurance scheme, PMFBY, with risks of localized calamity and mid-season adversity.
Animal Resources Development Sector:
Assistance to farmers for replacement of animals – Compensation shall be provided towards loss of animal @ Rs.30,000/- per milch cow and buffalo (up to 3 animals), Rs.25,000/- per draught animal (up to 3 animals), Rs.16,000/- per calf (up to 6 animals), Rs.3,000/- per goat (up to 30 animals), Rs.50/- per bird (maximum Rs.5,000/-).
Construction of cow shed damaged during cyclone – 10,000 farmers will be supported @ Rs.1.13 lakh for restoration of cow sheds.
Construction of goat shed damaged during cyclone – 10,000 farmers will be supported with construction of goat shed @ Rs.44,000/- per shed. Affected farmer will get assistance for only one animal shed, either for cow shed or goat shed. 75% subsidy will be given to 1000 farmers to assist them with 10 goats and 1 buck at a unit cost of Rs.66,000.
For nourishing milch cattle to overcome the stress, 5000 farmers will be supported with 500 kgs of cattle feed to the Dairy farmers in the affected areas.
Livelihood through backyard poultry – 20,000 farmers in the affected areas will be provided with 50 nos. of 4 weeks old chicks and Rs.500/- towards night shelter.
Support to farmers for dairy farming: About 350 dairy cows will be provided to those dairy farmers who have lost dairy cows for restoring their livelihoods.
Fisheries Sector:
To provide input assistance to the affected fish farmers whose tanks/ponds have been damaged with loss of fish and fish seeds, it is envisaged to provide financial assistance up to 75% @ Rs.1.125 lakh per ha.
Financial assistance of @ Rs.22,500/- per boat and Rs. 15,000/- per net will be provided for fully and partially damaged boats and nets.
Financial assistance of @ Rs.60,000/- per boat and Rs. 15,000/- per net will be provided for fully and partially damaged boats and nets of Marine and Chilka Fishermen.
Handicrafts & Handlooms:
Under Handicrafts/Handloom sector, assistance of Rs.4100/- per artisan for replacement of tools/equipment and Rs.4100/- per artisan for loss of raw material/goods in process/finished goods shall be provided.
Sericulture:
Sericulture farmers shall be given input subsidy @ Rs.4,800/- per hectare for Eri, Mulberry, Tussar.
Rearing house for sericulture farmers: About 125 no. of affected sericulture farmers will be supported @ Rs.1.75 lakh for completed damaged Rearing house and Rs.0.57 lakh for partially damaged Rearing house.
Support to Groups:
In order to intensify the interventions, 200 Producers’ Groups will be promoted covering 30,000 farmers. Each Producer Group will be supported with Rs. 3.00 lakh towards establishment and institution development.
Additional seed money of Rs.5000/- will be given to the affected women SHGs in the affected areas who have taken up cultivation and sustained crop loss.
Land Revenue:
100 percent remission in respect of cess on land revenue and compulsory basic water rate will be given to farmers where the crop loss is 33% or more.
Education:
School fees and School examination fees up to High School level in Government Schools shall be waived in the affected areas. Two pairs of School uniforms and text books shall be provided to the children up to Elementary School level in the affected areas.