Centre to raise relief limit for farmers, says Jaitley

Bundi (Rajasthan), March 29

The Centre will work with state governments to raise the compensation limit for farmers affected by unseasonal rains and hailstorms, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said today.

“The Prime Minister is deeply concerned about the loss to the farmers.... The government would raise the compensation limit to help the farmers whose crops have been affected by rain and hailstorm,” Jaitley said while interacting with farmers in Timeli, one of the worst affected villages, about 65 km from district headquarters.

He noted that Rajasthan was one of the worst affected by the recent unseasonal rains and that there was major damage to crops in Bundi district. He assured the farmers of all possible help from the Centre.

“We take the responsibility to help you stand up again after this huge loss of crops and livestock,” the Finance Minister assured the farmers. Jaitley said PM Narendra Modi had directed Central ministers to visit the most-affected areas so that assistance and compensation can be facilitated to the farmers.

The Centre in coordination with the state government would provide all possible help to the farmers, said Jaitley, who took an aerial survey to assess the damage to crops and was briefed by district collector Anandi. Jaitley was accompanied by Minister for Small Scale Industries Giriraj Singh, state agriculture minister Prabhulal Saini, state transport minister and local MLA Babulal Verma.

The Finance Minister visited Mukut Meena, a farmer whose house was damaged in the heavy rains. — PTI