Maharashtra government has raised the amount of compensation by 50 percent to farmers whose crop are hit by natural calamities. The farmers who toil crop on non- irrigated land will get compensation of Rs 6,800 up to two hectares from existing Rs 4,500 in case of damage due to natural calamities, while those with irrigated land are entitled to get Rs 13,500 up to two hectares from Rs 9,000. Similarly as per the new directive, the compensation for horticulture (all-year) crops is hiked to Rs 18,000 from Rs 12,000 for up to two hectares.
The state government has also decided to bring down the crop loss percentage, which is crucial in awarding compensation to farmers whose crop are hit by natural calamities, to 33 percent from existing 50 percent. Central government has already brought down the cap for compensation to 33 percent from 50 percent.
As per the existing rules, farmers are entitled for government aid only if 50 percent--and above that--of their crop is damaged, whereas villages with crop yield of less than 50 percent get benefit of the scarcity-affected areas.