Compensation claimed for hailstorm damage to crops
21 Mar, 2014Reply to an application filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act has revealed that the hailstorms, which occurred last month in many parts of Maharashtra, caused intense damage to many villages. Based on the data that 17,69,403 hectares have been directly affected due to the hailstorm, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Mumbai High Court.
The petition relies on data obtained under the RTI Act, which reveals that farms and animals and agriculture allied products were affected in 14,917 villages, 235 talukas and 28 districts. The petitioner has claimed that the total loss to agriculture is to the tune of about Rs 42,000 crore and the enforcement of the model code of conduct in the state is preventing the government from announcing any financial assistance to the farmers.
Claiming that suicides by farmers are taking place following the calamity, the petitioner has requested the court to order the state and Centre to release compensation and exempt the affected farmers from payment of electricity bills and payment of loan instalments.