Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced a relief package for the people affected by the tropical cyclone storm Bulbul in the State.
Chairing a high level review meeting at the Lok Seva Bhawan here this evening after conducting an aerial survey of the Bulbul-hit districts, the Chief Minister urged the Collectors of the respective district to submit damage assessment report to the Special Relief Commissioner by November 18.
Interacting with the Collectors through video conferencing, Naveen also directed them to distribute relief assistance by November 24.
The Chief Minister also insisted them to maintain utmost transparency in the damage assessment study and distribution of relief to the people.
The information pertaining to relief should be displayed at the Panchyat office to apprise the people about it, the CM stressed.
He also directed the Collectors to ensure that the relief assistance should be directly transferred to the accounts of the cyclone victims.
Steps should also be taken to give information in this regard in the district administration website, the CM said.
Notably, six districts in Odisha – Bhadrak, Balasore, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur and Mayurbhanj have been adversely affected by the cyclone.
Bulbul has caused severe damage to the standing paddy and other agriculture/ horticulture crops thereby adversely affecting the farmers in the affected coastal districts.
Paddy is worse affected since the crop was at flowering, milking, panicle emerging, early maturity and maturity stage. The livelihood of people depending upon animal husbandry, fisheries, and other sectors have also been affected.
To ameliorate the suffering of the affected people, the State Government have decided to implement the following package:
Agriculture Sector:
1. Agriculture input subsidy will be provided to the small and marginal farmers who have sustained crop loss of 33% and above @Rs. 6,800 per hectare of land in rain fed/non irrigated areas, Rs.13,500 per hectare of land in areas under assured irrigation, and Rs.18,000/- per hectare for all types of perennial crops. Perennial crops will include mango, cashew, coconut, betel vine, etc. The assistance shall be provided to the actual cultivators.
2. Agricultural input subsidy to any affected farmer shall not be less than Rs.2,000 for perennial crops and Rs.1,000 for other crops.
3. 50,000 seed minikits of Pulses and Oilseeds shall be supplied to the affected farmers during Rabi 2019-20.
4, 45,000 acres of demonstration programmes of different crops will be taken up in affected districts in the Rabi season.
5. 3,000 Sprayers will be made available to the affected farmers in the cyclone affected areas at a subsidy of 50% limited to maximum of Rs.3800 for battery operated sprayers and Rs.750 for hand operated sprayers.
6. 10,000 nos. of Vegetable Minikits shall be supplied to the affected farmers during Rabi 2019-20.
7. An incentive of Rs.15,000 per farmer will be provided to 30 units for repair and renovation of Betel Vine cultivation (Pan Baraja).
8. Rs.40,000/Unit will be provided for repair and renovation of Shade Net / thatched structure for restoration of Mushroom Units to 50 units.
9. Immediate steps will be taken to arrange and distribute quality seeds and other inputs in sufficient quantity for the Rabi season.
10. Expeditious steps will be taken to conduct crop cutting experiments to settle the claims of the affected insured farmers under crop insurance schema, PMFBY, with risks of localized calamity and mid-season adversity as per revised Operational Guideline of the scheme.
Farm Credit:
11. Short Term Rabi Loans advanced in the affected areas during Rabi 2019 having crop loss of 33% and above shall be converted into Medium Term (Conversion) Loans.
Animal Resources Development Sector:
12. Assistance to farmers for replacement of animals – Assistance shall be provided towards loss of animals @Rs.30,000 per milch cow and buffalo, Rs.25,000 per draught animal (upto 3 animals), Rs.16,000 per calf (upto 6 animals), Rs.3,000 per goat/ sheep (upto 30 animals), Rs.50 per poultry bird (maximum Rs.5,000).
Fisheries Sector
13. Assistance to the Fishermen for loss/ damage of Boat & Net: Financial assistance @ Rs.4,100/- for repair of partially damaged boats, Rs.2,100 for repair of partially damaged net, Rs.9,600/- for replacement of fully damaged boat and Rs,2,600 for replacement of fully damaged net will be provided to the affected fishermen.
14. Assistance for repair of Fish Farms/ Fish Seed Farms: Financial assistance of Rs.12,200 per ha. shall be provided for de-silting, restoration of fish farms. Input subsidy @Rs.8,200 per ha. shall be provided for damaged fish seed farms.
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