Center to Provide Liberal Relief To Distressed Farmers : Union Finance Minister

27 April, New Delhi

Concerned over woes of farmers on account of unseasonal rains and hailstorms and farmer suicides, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that Government will take more steps to provide liberal relief to the distressed lot.

He told a TV channel in New Delhi that we have increased by 50 per cent the aid given to the farmers during the UPA period. Jaitley said 50 per cent is the first step and many more steps are going to come.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced higher compensation for crop damage of farmers hit by unseasonal rains and hailstorm and eased criteria for them to avail government support.

As part of that, the amount of compensation given to farmers has been increased to 1.5 times. Unseasonal rains and hailstorm last month have destroyed crops and even lead to farmer suicides.