Aurangabad, Nov 4:
The re-evaluation of the final report of the panchnama for the damage caused by the rains in Marathwada, has revealed that crops on 26 lakh hectares have been damaged in the Kharif season. Areas in Beed, Osmanabad and Parbhani districts has increased to some extent. A revised report has been sent to the government, district administration sources said.
It is now estimated that 36 lakh farmers will need Rs 2,600 crore in compensation. More than 33 per cent of the affected areas will need assistance, the report said. According to the final figures, if the district administration re-evaluates, around Rs 2,600 crore will be required for the flood victims. The administration estimates that Rs 2,500 crore will be required for farms located on 2 hectares if Rs 10,000 per hectare are allotted and Rs 2,600 crore will be required for larger farms if Rs 25,000 are allotted per hectare. The area damaged include 2.65 lakh hectares in Aurangabad district, 4.93 lakh hectares in Jalna, 2 lakh hectares in Parbhani, 2.5 lakh hectares in Hingoli, 5.64 lakh hectares in Nanded, 3 lakh hectares in Beed, 2.50 lakh hectares in Latur and 2.59 lakh hectares in Osmanabad district.
Attention towards help
In October-November 2019, heavy rains damaged crops in 325 tehsils in 34 districts. About 44,33,549 farmers from 8 districts of Marathwada were affected. A decision was taken at the government level to provide assistance of Rs 3,350 crore to the affected farmers. This year too, over 26 lakh hectares of crops have been damaged by the rains and attention has been drawn towards the help for farmers.