PANAJI
Farmers in the State are already suffering losses on account of the heavy rains since the last few days, but a large number of them are yet to receive compensation for losses to their crops when Cyclone Tauktae caused extensive devastation in the State two months ago.
The agriculture department has done its work to assess the losses and submit claims of farmers who suffered losses due to cyclone Tauktae, but is reportedly yet to compensate due to procedural delay as the fund is expected to be received from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
The cyclone on May 16 had destroyed crops and cultivations across the State and the Zonal Agriculture Offices (ZAOs) in all talukas were directed to report the losses to the agriculture department.
However, sources said some farmers had not turned up with their claims for compensation and the agriculture department then submitted claims of farmers to the district collectors for the claims under the NDRF and the losses had been estimated at Rs 3 crore.
While touring the affected areas to take stock of the devastation causes by Cyclone Tauktae, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had also assured that all farmers, including those without Krishi Cards, would get compensation for losses to their crops due to the cyclone and had directed agriculture officers to accept applications from non-holders of Krishi Cards as well.
However, a large number of farmers are still to receive compensation and there have been growing demands for early compensation as any delay in compensation would demotivate farmers from pursuing farming and agriculture activity.
Meanwhile, stating that the agriculture department does not expect extensive damage to crops due to the heavy rains in the past few days, Director of Agriculture Nevil Alphonso said his department is closely monitoring the situation.
“Presently, many hectares area of paddy is under water. The agriculture department will be able to ascertain the losses only when the water recedes. There will be some damage no doubt, but major damage has not been reported so far,” said Alphonso.
“The damage will not be huge because paddy is still at its early stage after barely 10-15 days of sowing and at some places, sowing is still in progress,” he added.
