Lok Sabha Question No. 3384 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-16
Subject: Crop Damage in Bihar
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Veena Devi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3384

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 16 TH  MARCH, 2021

## CROP DAMAGE IN BIHAR

3384.     SHRIMATI VEENA DEVI:

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

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  in  Vaishali  (Bihar)  despite  its  80  percent  dependence  on agriculture, the crops are either damaged by floods, drought, Neel Gais or wild pigs;
- (b) if so, the permanent measures proposed to be taken by the Government in the interest of the farmers to protect their crops;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) to (d): The primary responsibility for disaster management  rests with the State Governments.    The  State  Governments  undertake  assessment  of  damages  and  provide financial   relief   in   the   wake   of   12 notified natural disasters, 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 established procedure in case of disaster of severe nature. On receipt of memorandum from the State for any notified natural disaster, an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) is constituted and deputed for an onthe-spot  assessment  of  damage  and  requirement  of  funds  for  relief  operations,  as  per  the extant  items  and  norms.    The  report  of  the  IMCT  is  considered  by  the  Sub  Committee  of National  Executive  Committee  (SC-NEC).  Thereafter,  the  High  Level  Committee  (HLC) approves the final quantum of financial assistance.

The State Government of Bihar has not sought any financial assistance under NDRF for drought  during  the  current  financial  year.  However,  the  State  Government  of  Bihar  sought financial  assistance  under  NDRF  for  flood  during  2020.  The  High  Level  Committee  in  its meeting held on 11.02.2021 approved the following assistance to Bihar for flood of 2020:

-  Rs. 1255.27 crore from NDRF subject to the adjustment of 50% of balance available in the SDRF account for the flood 2020.
-  Air Bills for utilizing the services of IAF helicopters for rescue and relief, as per actual, based on the bills raised by the IAF.

Distribution of relief at the ground rests with the State Government.

Crop  loss  due  to  wild  animals,  including  Neel  Gais,  can  be  covered  by  the  State Government under Pradhan  Mantri Fasal  Bima  Yojana  (PMFBY). The  State  Government  of Bihar is not implementing PMFBY since 2018-19. However, the State Government of Bihar is implementing  its  own  scheme,  namely,  Bihar  Rajya  Fasal  Sahayata  Yojana  from  its  own Budget.

The State Government of Bihar has reported that to  repel Neel  Gais  and  other  crops damaging  animals,  Animal  Deterrent  Bio  Acoustic  Machines  are  being  distributed  through State Mechanization Programme under subsidy.

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