New Delhi: Government on Wednesday said it has asked states to provide details of the losses caused to the standing crops by the recent unseasonal rains so that relief could be provided as members demanded that the Centre should come forward to help the affected states financially.
Raising the issue, Madhusidan Mistry (Cong) said the unseasonal rains has destroyed crops in Gujarat and caused huge losses to farmers and the state government has not provided any relief to them.
"The state government should provide aid to farmers and compensate the farmers and a permanent solution be put in place. Bring the farmers out of distress situation," he said.
He said there was distress sale of potato in the absence of adequate storage facilities in the state.
Associating with the issue, Sharad Pawar (NCP) said Gujarat is not the only state affected due to unseasonal rains as farmers in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and other states have also been affected.
"States are not able to take care of the problem and resolve the issue. Unless and until the government of India provides support, farmers will not survive," he said.
Sharad Yadav (JD-U) said the situation is "very bad" and government is delaying help to farmers which may lead to suicide by farmers.
"It is a big loss and crisis. Farmers are being driven to commit suicide. I request government of India to act quickly and provide relief," he said.
Ramgopal Yadav (SP) said the Uttar Pradesh government has already granted relief of Rs 200 crore as two farmers in Agra and one in Firozabad have committed suicide and immediate relief should be given.
Responding to the concerns raised, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the states have been asked to submit their reports after assessing the losses to farmers to enable the Centre to act and provide relief.
"What is needed is expeditious action," Deputy Chairman P J Kurien told the minister while sharing concerns of members on the issue.
