Lok Sabha Question No. 1417 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-03
Subject: Agriculture Input Subsidy
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: DUSHYANT SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1417

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 RD  MAY, 2016/VAISAKHA 13, 1938 (SAKA)

AGRICULTURE INPUT SUBSIDY

1417. SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the agricultural input subsidy given to the farmers who had faced crop damage of more than 33% as per the revised SDRF/NDRF norms and the details of the expenditure of the Government on the input subsidy, State-wise;
- (b) whether the Government is intending to either base the subsidy proportionately  on  actual  affected  area  or  increase  the  maximum  limit area to 5 ha in order to support those farmers who undergo heavy loss due to natural calamities;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government intends to revise the SDRF norms to provide exemption  of  electricity  bill  to  those  farmers  who  face  crop  damage  of more than 33% due to natural calamity;
- (e) if so, the details thereof;
- (f) if not, whether the Government is considering to make this provision of exemption in case of at least those farmers who have much more severe crop damage than 33% and hence set a higher threshold (around 50%) for this provision; and
- (g) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a): As  per the  National  Disaster  Management  Policy,  the  primary responsibility   for   disaster   management  rests  with  the  States.  The

## L.S.US.Q.NO.1417 FOR 03.05.2016

concerned  State  Governments  undertake  assessment  of  damage  and relief operations in the wake of notified natural disasters, from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) already placed at their disposal. Information on disbursal of input subsidy  to the farmers is not centrally maintained  by  this  Ministry,  since  execution  of  relief  activities  on  the ground is responsibility of the State concerned through their established channel  of  district  administrative  machineries  in  accordance  with  the magnitude of the ground situation.

However, assistance is provided to the affected farmers from SDRF and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) as per laid down procedure.  The extant norms inter-alia provide for assistance to the farmers in the form of Agriculture input subsidy (where crop loss is 33% and above) for damage caused to all types agriculture/ horticulture crop areas due to the notified natural  disasters  only  (i.e.  cyclone,  cloud  burst,  drought,  earthquake, tsunami,  flood,  hailstorm,  landslides,  avalanche,  fire,  pest  attack,  cold waves/frost).    These  are  Rs.  6,800/-  per  ha.  for  rainfed  crops  areas,  Rs. 13,500/per ha. for assured irrigated areas, subject to minimum assistance  not   less  than  Rs.1000  and  restricted  to  sown  areas,   and

## L.S.US.Q.NO.1417 FOR 03.05.2016

Rs.18,000/-  per  ha.  for  all  type  of  perennial  crops  areas,  subject  to minimum  assistance  not  less  than  Rs.  2000/-  and  restricted  to  sown areas., where crop loss is more than 33% and above.

Financial assistance under SDRF/ NDRF in the wake of natural disasters is by way of relief and not for compensation of loss as suffered/ claimed. In addition  to  regular  schemes  the  farmers  are  entitled  for  compensation under  the  National  Agricultural  Insurance  Scheme  of  the  Ministry  of Agriculture, which is being implemented by the concerned State Governments.

- (b): No Madam.
- (c): Does not arise.
- (d): No Madam.
- (e): Does not arise.
- (f): No Madam.
- (g): Does not arise.

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