Odisha Seeks Central Share Of Rs 795.31 Cr For Farmers

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday urged the center to release its share of Rs 795.31 crore under National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) for disbursal among the drought-hit farmers.

In a letter to Union Agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh, Patnaik said Odisha had experienced an unprecedented drought during Kharif 2015.

“My Government has taken a large number of measures to alleviate the hardship faced by farmers due to lack of rainfall. More than 21 lakh farmers in the State were covered under NAIS during Kharif 2015,” said the Chief Minister.

AIC of India, the designated implementing agency for NAIS has approved the claims of Rs.1776.34 crores for Kharif 2015 season for Odisha on 05 October this year, he added.

“The farmers in my state have made all out efforts and incurred expenses for agricultural activities during Rabi 2015-16 and Kharif 2016, assisted by facilitative actions taken by the state government,” Patnaik said.

In order to help them overcome the adverse effect of drought last year, it is essential that their insurance claims are settled at the earliest without any further delay, he added.

“The total claim approved is Rs.1776.34 crores of which the state and Central share is Rs.795.31 crores each. The state has already sanctioned its share which will be disbursed to the farmers as soon the Government of India share is received,” said the Chief Minister.