Lok Sabha Question No. 4535 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-08
Subject: Agriculture input Subsidy for Crop Loss due to Natural Calamities
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: RABINDRA KUMAR JENA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4535

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  8 th  JANUARY, 2019

## AGRICULTURE INPUT SUBSIDY FOR CROP LOSS DUE TO NATURAL CALAMITIES

4535.  SHRI RABINDRA KUMAR JENA:

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

- (a) the  existing  norms  of  assistance  in  form  of  agriculture  input  subsidy  under  State Disaster  Response  Fund  (SDRF)  and  the  National  Disaster  Response  Fund  (NDRF)  in case of crop loss due to natural calamities;
- (b) whether  the  existing  norms  of  assistance  under  SDRF  and  NDRF  provide  for expenditure on revival of defunct lift irrigation points, in a disaster-like situation of drought, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  there  have  been  demands  from  disaster-prone  States  like  Odisha  to enhance the input subsidy provided for crop loss suffered due to natural calamities;
- (d) whether  the  present  norms  of  SDRF/NDRF  permit  only  temporary/  immediate restoration of damaged infrastructure, if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  is  considering  making  necessary  amendment  in  the existing norms and permit full restoration of all damaged infrastructure, caused due to any disaster, out of SDRF/ NDRF?

## ANSWER

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

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी ( SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a): Based  on  the  consideration  of  the  recommendations  of  the  Fourteenth  Finance Commission on financing of expenditure on immediate relief during natural disasters for the period 2015-2020 and the report of the Expert Group set up by the Ministry of Home Affairs,  the  Government  of India  revised  the  items and  norms for assistance from  State Disaster  Response  Fund  (SDRF)  and  National  Disaster  Response  Fund  (NDRF)  on 08.04.2015. As per these guidelines, assistance towards input subsidy is provided for crop loss  of  33%  and  above.  The  rates  are  Rs.  6,800/-  per  hectare  for  rainfed  crop  areas; Rs.13,500/- per hectare for assured irrigated crop areas, subject to a minimum assistance of  Rs.1,000/-  and  restricted  to  sown  area;  and  Rs.18,000/-  per  hectare  for  all  types  of perennial crops, subject to minimum assistance not less than Rs.2,000/- and restricted to sown areas.

## (b) to (e): The following irrigation works are covered under SDRF/NDRF norms  :

- (i) Immediate repair  of  damaged  canal  structures  and  earthen/masonry  works  of tanks and small reservoirs with the use of cement, sand and stones.
- (ii) Repair of weak areas such as piping or rat holes in dam walls /embankments.
- (iii) Removal  of vegetative material /building material/debris from canal and drainage system .
- (iv)      Repair of embankments of minor, medium and major irrigation project.

There is no proposal to amend the existing norms in regard to revival of defunct lift irrigation and full restoration of all damaged infrastructure

The  Government  of  India  reviews  the  list  of  items  and  norms  normally  after  the award of successive Finance Commissions. Taking into account various factors, including the  price  rise,  the  Government  of  India  revised  norms  of  assistance  under  SDRF  and NDRF on 08.04.2015.

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