Modi govt battles as 10 lk hectares of crops destroyed

Unseasonal rain has destroyed over 10 lakh hectares of standing crop across the country putting the Narendra Modi government in a crisis situation.

One of the worst affected places is Maharashtra where around 40,000 hectares of standing Rabi crop has been damaged. On the other hand 26 out of the 33 districts in Rajasthan have been affected and 40 percent of their mustard production has been destroyed.

Ludhiana and Jalandar are the worst affected areas in Punjab, with almost 40-50 percent of early sown wheat affected. In Uttar Pradesh the rain has destroyed 70 percent of wheat and 10 percent of mango crop has been destroyed in Amreli district of Gujarat.

The government has promised to take all administrative and relief measures to help farmers hit by unseasonal rain and hailstorm in North and Western India.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh appealed to all Chief Ministers of states to try their best and resolve the farmers concerns. "Government will also help state governments in providing aid to farmers," said Singh.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje taking immediate action on the issue said that they would need to start a revolving fund to help farmers. She assured the victims that the central government would extend all the support to the affected farmers.

Nashik Collector and District Magistrate, Deependra Singh Kushwah said that due to unseasonal rains, more than 60,000 hectare area had been affected of all crops in the last 6 months.

"The gravity of this rain is very high. Damage of crops is more than 50 percent. We have received a communication that the grants will be received in the next few days. And we will distribute it immediately. Farmers will get the money directly in their account," he informed.