Rain, hailstorm destroy crops, MPs seek Centre's help

JAIPUR: The past two days of rain and hailstorm have taken a toll on the rabi crop in the state. However, the state government is yet to assess crop damage and decide on the compensation for farmers. Some MPs raised their concern over the intermittent rain and damage to the crops, urging Union government's intervention in the matter.
The first week of March is the time when the farmers in Sriganganagar, Hanumangarh, Sikar, Jhunjhunu and other places start harvesting their crop.But the last two days of rain and hailstorm was fatal in the state. The districts including Kota, Jhalawar and Baran also received mild to moderate showers which have taken a toll on the crops.
On Monday, BJP MP from Kota Om Birla also met Union home minister Rajnath Singh and urged him to increase the ex-gratia to be given from national disaster relief fund (NDRF).
"In districts including Kota, Baran, Bundi and Jhalawar which are productive districts as far as agriculture is concerned, there has been nearly 70% loss of Rabi crop including wheat, barley and coriander. Thus, the Union government should immediately announce some financial package to the state government and also enforce crop insurance scheme," said Birla.
Though the state disaster and relief management department on February 25 had announced some ex-gratia, the government has not assessed the situation after the rain in the past two days.
Even there was no respite from the rain on Monday as it started during wee hours. At several parts in the state, the farmers got up during wee hours when rain started and attempted to save the crops from being getting drenched. "I think if the rain prevails, it will prove fatal. So far I have been able to safeguard my crop of wheat and barley sowed at an area of 100 hectares," said Maliram Saini, a farmer of Neem Ka Thana.
The Met forecast might give a relief to the farmers as they said the cloudy conditions would vanish from the state soon.
Meanwhile, Kotkasim area in Alwar received 140 mm rain. On Monday, many places in Alwar and Bharatpur witnessed mild to moderate showers which hit the farmers of this region badly.