They can’t have their cake and eat it too

Until now,there was no system of checks and balances to prevent farmers from simultaneously claiming crop damages and yet selling their yield to the government. The rider is,however,not likely to go down well with farmers,especially when political parties are wary about antagonising farmers.

Those involved in agriculture concede that damage assessment is generally flawed,or cursory,with the influential managing to have their way,many marginal and small farmers getting left out,and others colluding with revenue officials to falsely claim high compensation when the crop has not suffered. There have been instances when farmers not only received compensation but also managed to sell a higher amount than the initial estimates had predicted.

MP has computerised the procurement process that begins when farmers register with personal details and possible yield,and receive SMS alerts in advance about the day they are to sell their produce.

After a farmer is paid cash relief under the Revenue Book of Circular for crop damages,the potential yield in his account is being revised.

MP has set an ambitious target of procuring 115 lakh tonnes wheat during the rabi season,a target that,if achieved,will push it closer to Punjab,the traditional leader that is now struggling with saturation and over-exploitation of water table.

Three weeks ago,the government released data saying crops in 3.48 lakh hectares in 4097 villages in 37 districts were affected by hailstorm in February; 6,158 villages were affected by a cold wave,and 20 districts by frost in January. Even when the compensation amount was being distributed,the state received a spell of heavy rains and hail from March 14 to March 17,and the impact of farms was widespread.

Government sources said 6.36 lakh hectares in 3,190 villages of 31 districts suffered from the unseasonal natural phenomenon,affecting 6,20,000 farmers. The government estimates that the estimated damage in the wake of the four-day spell was Rs 893.93 crore.

The extensive damage saw the government get into populist mode by announcing a slew of measures such as suspension of all loan recoveries and waiver of surcharge on electricity bills. The government will pay half the electricity bills and convert short-term loans into mid-term.

The government has also twice revised the relief amount saying it has never been done in the past. When the damage is more than 50 per cent,the Centre and the state share the burden in the ratio of 75:25. A farmer is eligible for relief only if the crop has suffered 25 per cent or more damage. The state government picks the tab for damage between 25 and 50 per cent.

Rajendra Khanuja,a farmer based in Bagra Mand village of Hoshangabad district,welcomes the move,saying it will eventually lead to proper surveys and genuine claims.

“It’s common for survey teams to just go through the motions,’’ he said,not ruling out that the possibility that farmers will claim compensation from the government and sell wheat to private traders.

Sources in the Food Commissioner’s office said the rider would not impact procurement estimates because gram and mustard crops suffered more damages than wheat.

The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh said the organisation’s priority was to ensure that the affected farmers got crop insurance.

Farmers with crop insurance will get money from insurance companies if their claims are accepted. The money will be separate from the relief paid by the governments.