Chennai: Tamil Nadu government Wednesday announced a series of relief measures to farmers in the Thane cyclone-affected Cuddalore district, including a sum of Rs 210
crore as compensation for damaged crops.
Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa said standing crops including
cash crops over 2.24 lakh hectares had been completely damaged
due to the cyclone, which hit the district on December 30,
thus severely affecting the farm sector.
"I have directed that compensation be paid above the
Central government stipulations and Rs 210 crore will be
disbursed as relief for damage to crops alone," she said in an
official statement here.
Further, as part of a package to the farmers in Cuddalore, saplings of coconut, cashew and jackfruit would be given without any cost and the government would bear the maintenance cost for a year, she said.
Farm labourers would be paid wages under the MNREGA and
this would cover farmers who take up works in their own land
also, she said adding government would provide a Mini Kit
comprising seeds and fertilisers to farmers who take up
plantation of pulses.
This Mini Kit would be given free of cost, Jayalalithaa
said, adding the package would benefit 3.45 lakh farmers in
Cuddalore.
Infrastructure was the worst affected, with roads and water
lines damaged due to the cyclone fury and four lakh huts and
tile-topped houses have been damaged, she said adding 5,000
personnel of the TNEB would be added to the existing 3,000 who
are working round the clock to restore power lines.
Restoration works were on on a "war-footing," she added.
PTI
