Rajasthan declares 2,961 villages scarcity-hit after kharif crop loss

As many as 2,961 villages in six districts of Rajasthan were declared scarcity-hit on Friday following extensive kharif crop loss caused by excessive rainfall this year. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma approved the disbursement of subsidy to farmers in the affected districts.

Mr. Sharma said here that the agricultural subsidy would be paid to over eight lakh farmers from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). The scarcity-hit villages fall in 40 tehsils situated in Ajmer, Jhunjhunu, Alwar, Pali, Kota and Banswara districts.

Farmers who have suffered more than 30% crop loss will receive the subsidy under the rules. Mr. Sharma said the compensation would be calculated based on the extent of the kharif crop loss.

As heavy rains in several districts caused significant crop damage, farmers had demanded agricultural subsidy to compensate for the loss. The State government subsequently directed local revenue officials to conduct a survey of the damage. The subsidy approval follows the submission of these survey reports.