Sushil Kumar Modi demands white paper on distribution of relief to farmers

PATNA: Former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi today assailed the Nitish Kumar government for delaying assessment of damage of crops due to drought situation and demanded a white paper detailing distribution of relief materials among the affected farmers.

The state government's attitude towards drought-hit farmers has been deplorable as it has yet to start assessment of damage caused by natural calamity in 33 districts declared as drought-hit, he said in a statement.

The farmers have been reeling under damage to their crops due to drought and heavy rains caused by the Cyclone Phailin even as the promised relief was yet to reach them due to apathetic attitude of the state government and its agencies, Modi alleged.

Asking the JD(U) government to come clean on distribution of relief among the drought-hit farmers like diesel subsidy and seeds for alternative crops, the former deputy chief minister demanded issuance of a white paper in this regard.

Modi rued that the visit by a a Central team to assess damage to the crops due to drought situation in 33 districts has been delayed due to a host of reasons as a result of which the farmers may be deprived of relief and compensation in time.