Relief package falls short as Gujarat government cuts farmer aid by allegedly altering rules

Gujarat government announced a ₹10,000 crore agricultural relief package recently after the crops were damaged by unseasonal rains. However, the reality is different as the government allegedly altered the rules, resulting in reduced financial assistance to farmers.

Farmer leaders have also alleged that farmers in Gujarat were denied benefits under the Chief Minister Kisan Sahay Yojana.

Damage to crops

42 lakh hectares of crops have been damaged

19,000 villages have been affected.

Rules which impact the farmers

In 2020, the Chief Minister Kisan Sahay Yojana had specified that, 

Farmers experiencing over 60% crop damage would receive ₹25,000 per hectare, up to 4 hectares.

Clause 9(g) of the scheme allowed full aid under both the Kisan Sahay Yojana and SDRF.

However, the government’s latest relief measures reduced the per-hectare amount and restricted the maximum eligible land to 2 hectares, effectively cutting the total compensation for farmers. 

Currently, affected farmers are receiving only ₹44,000 under this package, instead of the maximum ₹1.4 lakh they could have received under the original rules.

Farmers’ concerns

Farmer leaders have expressed strong objections, claiming that the rule changes were designed to save government funds at the expense of farmers. They argue that many farmers, especially small and marginal landholders, are being left without adequate relief despite suffering severe losses due to the unseasonal rains.

The government, while highlighting the ₹10,000 crore package, faces scrutiny for its implementation and the shortfall in actual aid reaching farmers. Farmer leaders have demanded that the state adhere to the original SDRF and Kisan Sahay Yojana norms to ensure fair compensation.