Lok Sabha Question No. 403 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-19
Subject: Assistance for Crop Loss in Maharashtra
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik, Sudheer Gupta, Sambhajirao Mane Dhairyasheel, Gajanan Chandrakant Kirtikar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 403

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 19 TH  NOVEMBER, 2019/ KARTIKA 28, 1941 (SAKA)

ASSISTANCE FOR CROP LOSS IN MAHARASHTRA

403.     SHRI SANJAY SADASHIV RAO MANDLIK:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  Maharashtra  particularly  Kolhapur,  Sangli,  Satara  and  Mumbai districts  and  Madhya  Pradesh  specially  Mandsaur  district  were  affected  by unprecedented  rains  and  floods  in  recent  months  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) whether this has caused damage to a large quantum of standing crops and high value horticulture crops in these districts and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has received proposals from the State Governments seeking financial assistance for loss of crops;
- (d)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  response  of  the  Union  Government thereto;
- (e) whether the Government has sent a Central team to the affected districts to  evaluate  and  ascertain  the  extent  of  crop  losses  and  if  so,  the  details thereof along with the outcome thereto; and
- (f) the steps taken/being taken by the Government for providing training and scientific  knowledge  to  the  farmers  to  minimize  such  crop  losses  due  to heavy rains and floods in the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a): As per memorandum submitted by State Government of Maharashtra 29 districts  of  the  State  were  affected  by  floods  including  Kolhapur,  Sangli, Satara  and  Mumbai.  Further,  as  per  memorandum  submitted  by  State Government  of  Madhya  Pradesh  39  districts  of  the  State  were  affected  by floods including Mandsaur.

(b) to (e): Primary  responsibility  for  disaster  management  rests  with  the State  Government.  Central  Government  extends  all  possible  logistics  and financial  support  to  the  States  to  supplement  their  efforts  to  meet  the situation effectively.  The  State  Government  undertakes  assessment  of damages  and  provide  financial  relief  in  the  wake  of  natural  disasters including  floods,  from  the  State  Disaster  Response  Fund  (SDRF)  already placed at their disposal.  Additional financial assistance is extended from the National  Disaster  Response  Fund  (NDRF)  as  per  the  laid  down  procedure, which  includes  an  assessment  based  on  the  visit  of  an  Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT).

In the instant case, even before the receipt of memorandum from the State Governments of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, Ministry of Home Affairs has constituted IMCT which have visited the affected areas of Maharashtra from 29 th  August to 1 st  September, 2019 and Madhya Pradesh from 19 th  to 20 th September,  2019  and  again  from 14 th  to 16 th  October, 2019  for  on-the-spot

assessment  of  damages.  State  Government  of  Maharashtra  and  Madhya Pradesh  have  submitted  memorandum  seeking  assistance  of  Rs.2110.62 crore  and  Rs.6621.28  crore  respectively  from  NDRF.  Based  on  the  interim report  of  IMCT  on  Maharashtra,  an  interim  amount  of  Rs.600  crore  'on account  basis'  has  been  sanctioned  to  the  State  of  Maharashtra.  Final additional  financial  assistance  under  NDRF  to  both  the  States  will  be considered after consideration of IMCT reports by the High Level Committee, as per laid down procedure.

(f): Based on the forecast of weather and Monsoon the appropriate cropping pattern  is  recommended  for  the  benefits  of  the  farmers.  Indian  Council  of Agriculture  Research  -  Central  Research  Institute  of  Dryland  Agriculture, Hyderabad in collaboration with State Agriculture Universities prepares crop contingency  plan  for  all  problematic  districts  in  the  country  to  sustain agriculture  production  in  the  eventuality  of  any  sudden  change  in  weather. Based on the Crop Weather Watch Report advisories are issued to the States/ Union Territories for implementation of contingency plans. Besides  there is also a system to send weather based advisory to registered farmers by SMS through m-kisan portal.

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