Odisha farmers to get Rs 1,776 crore in crop insurance

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Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday said 11.61 lakh farmers across the state will get Rs 1,776 crore in crop insurance for Kharif season of 2015.

The state government has started the process for disbursal of crop insurance amounts among six lakh farmers of 10 districts in western Odisha.

While more than one lakh farmers in Bargarh district will get Rs 276 crore, Sambalpur district will receive Rs 100 crore, Kalahandi will receive 166 crore and Balangir will get more than Rs 370 crore, the Chief Minister noted.

Launching the distribution of crop insurance for farmers in Bargarh district, Patnaik said the state government has fulfilled its promise to provide special aid of Rs 100 per quintal paddy to the farmers hit by drought last year.

He said the District Collectors have been directed to ensure farmers do not face any difficulties at the procurement centres during the paddy purchase.

Speaking on the Mahanadi project issue, the Chief Minister said Chhattisgarh has constructed barrages in the upper catchment areas of the Mahanadi river, which would affect the interests of farmers in Odisha.

He said the state government has moved the central government demanding to constitute a tribunal to safeguard the interests of the people.

The Chief Minister said he requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that the common people do not suffer due to the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes.