Rajasthan Govt. Pushes for Reform In Crop Damage Compensation Regulations to Aid Distressed Farmers

Rajasthan has asked for a change to the new regulations that the Centre announced in October 2022 so that they can be incorporated into the Prime Minister's Fasal Bima Yojana and include the financial support provided to farmers for crop damage by the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). The new clause has significantly prolonged the time it takes to provide farmers with relief.

The calculation of the guaranteed amount from the Prime Minister's Fasal Bima Yojana that will be given to farmers during disasters, according to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, was a "complex and drawn-out" process.

"This causes multiple delays in the SDRF assistance's disbursement, while the farmers must immediately raise money for the following crop," he claimed.

In this regard, Mr. Gehlot had addressed a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi pointing out that the rule was preventing the farmers in the State from receiving timely aid. The SDRF was providing the farmers with rapid financial support prior to the restrictions being put into place.

"Under the new rules, the SDRF's objectives are not being achieved because farmers are not receiving timely assistance," says Mr Gehlot. These regulations must be changed right away added CM Gehlot.

The aid given to farmers for crop damage was only limited to 2 hectares of agricultural land, the Chief Minister also pointed out to Mr. Modi. Due to their larger average landholding size, farmers in Rajasthan, particularly those in the western regions of the State, are unable to receive fair remuneration.

In order to apply to both the National Disaster Response Fund and the SDRF, Mr. Gehlot has urged the Prime Minister to raise the cap on landholding over 2 hectares  (NDRF).

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