Lok Sabha Question No. 6084 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-11
Subject: Compensation to Farmers
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: DODDAALAHALLI KEMPEGOWDA SURESH, NALIN KUMAR KATEEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6084

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  APRIL, 2017

## COMPENSATION TO FARMERS

6084.  SHRI D.K. SURESH:

SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that thousands of farmers suffered great losses due to non-availability of water for irrigation and the defunct bore wells in their land due to continuous drought in Karnataka;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has received many representations for providing compensation to farmers who suffered due to defunct bore wells and incurred losses; and
- (d) if  so, the steps taken by the Government to provide compensations under the drought relief scheme to such affected farmers?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI S.S. AHLUWALIA)

- (a) & (b): Due to deficit  rainfall  during  South West  Monsoon  2016 (June-September) and North East Monsoon 2016  (October-December), leading  to inadequate availability of  water for drinking and irrigation, the Government of  Karnataka declared drought in 26 districts  and  30 districts  during Kharif 2016-17 and Rabi 2016-17, respectively.    3635721.74 ha area during Kharif drought and 1371769.29 ha area during Rabi drought have been affected with crop loss of 33% or more in the State.
- (c) & (d): Some representations have been received to provide compensation to farmers on account of loss occurred due to drought. State Governments are primarily responsible for taking necessary relief in the wake of natural calamities and are empowered to initiate immediate relief measures  to  address  the  situation  arising  out  of  any  natural  calamity.  Government  of  India supplements the efforts of state Governments with financial assistance. For undertaking relief measures,  funds  are  available  with  the  State  Government  in  the  form  of  State  Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Additional financial assistance, over and above SDRF, is considered from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for natural calamities of severe nature and is approved on the basis of Memorandum received from State Government in accordance with established procedure, keeping in view items and norms in vogue for assistance. Entire Central share of State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for 2016-17 amounting to Rs. 217.50 crore has been released to the State, for taking immediate measures in the wake of natural calamities including drought.

In  response  to  the  Memorandum  submitted  by  the  State  Government, for  Kharif  2016 drought,  the  Government  of  India      approved  an  amount  of  Rs.  1782.44  crores  to  the  State under NDRF. The State Government also submitted a Memorandum for Rabi 2016-17 drought, seeking financial assistance   from NDRF, which is under consideration.

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