Date:05/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/05/stories/2008120561011000.htm

Tamil Nadu

Compensation for crop damage enhanced

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: The State government on Thursday enhanced compensation for damage caused to paddy crop from Rs.4,000 to Rs.7,500 per hectare, according to a gazette notification.

According to Agriculture Department, paddy on about 5.058 lakh hectares of land has been submerged in the recent rain.

Over 50 per cent of the submerged crop was damaged. Farmers who lost their paddy crop will get compensation at the enhanced rate.

For other crops, compensation will be paid as per the Calamity Relief Fund norms, irrespective of the size of the holdings. By this the government has removed the limitation of existing ceiling area.

In the case of death of cattle and milch animals, the government has removed the restriction on number of dead cattle/ milch animals per house hold for payment of relief. As many as 2,976 heads of cattle had perished.