Maha govt announces Rs 1000 cr compensation to farmers

NAGPUR: Maharashtra government on Saturday announced a compensation of Rs 1000 crore to farmers who lost their crops due to untimely rains in the state.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan also informed the state Assembly that the government will not cut power connections of affected defaulter farmers for the next four months. The land where over 50 per cent crop was lost due to untimely rains is 5.44 lakh hectares, Chavan said.

Chavan was replying to a debate in the House on damage to farmers due to untimely rains, raised by Leader of Opposition Eknath Khadse and others under Rule 101 of the House.

Dissatisfied with Chief Minister's reply, Opposition staged a walk-out, demanding higher compensation for farmers.