Gujarat government said it was not going to come out with any special package for crops damaged in unseasonal rains last week even as the Congress once again raised the issue of farmers’ suicide which in 5 years has touched 89.Congress demanded special package during question hour in Gujarat Assembly Budget session for special package to damaged crops in unseasonal rains under notice 116, the state government said that the compensation will be given as per the set rules.out of 89, 11 took the extreme step due to increased debt (three including agriculture debt) and 78 due to other reasons. Vaghela later told the media that while farmers suicide cases are alarming in Gujarat, the government was not willing to give special packages for the damaged crops. Minister added that the application for the damage have been accepted at gram panchayat office and the compensation will be paid as per the rules of national crop insurance.
Agriculture Minister Bokhiria said that of the total 139 talukas in 27 districts that received unseasonal rains, only 9 talukas have recorded nearly 1 inch rainfall. Bokhiria added, “Farmers have recently been given special package to the tune of Rs 1,100 crore. Besides, benefits to the tune of Rs 1,700 were announced in Ravi Krishi Mela.” Vaghela said, “While unseasonal rain is natural phenomenon, not providing special compensation is unethical on the part of the government which rolls out special packages for the industries.”
