Bihar CM Transfers ₹112 Crore to 2.48 Lakh Flood-Hit Farmers
Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary transfers Rs 112.52 crore to 2.48 lakh flood-hit farmers via DBT to aid agricultural recovery.
In a major relief move for the agricultural community, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Wednesday transferred ₹112.52 crore directly to the bank accounts of over 2.48 lakh farmers. This financial assistance aims to support farmers whose crops were devastated by heavy rainfall and devastating floods across the state during August.
The funds were distributed through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism under the Agriculture Input Subsidy Scheme. The ceremony took place at the 'Samvad' hall of the Chief Minister's Secretariat in Patna, marking a significant step in the state's disaster recovery efforts.
Massive Relief Distribution via DBT
The scale of the assistance is substantial, targeting the core of Bihar's agrarian economy. According to official data presented during the event, a total of 4,57,616 farmers had submitted applications for the subsidy. Out of these, 2,48,704 eligible farmers received the funds in this first phase of the relief operation.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary emphasized that providing immediate assistance to farmers during times of crisis remains a top priority for his administration. He stated that the government is dedicated to ensuring timely financial relief so that farmers can quickly resume their agricultural activities after facing natural disasters.
Special Campaign to Launch from October 22
Recognizing that many affected individuals may still be waiting for their dues, the Chief Minister has ordered a proactive approach. He directed officials to launch a special campaign starting October 22, following the Dussehra festival, to identify and assist any remaining farmers whose crops were damaged by the floods.
“Ensure that farmers whose crops were damaged by floods also receive the subsidy through a special campaign from October 22. No farmer affected by a disaster should be left deprived of assistance,” the Chief Minister asserted.
Understanding the Subsidy Structure
The Agriculture Input Subsidy Scheme provides tiered financial support based on the type of land and crops affected. Under this scheme, the state government provides assistance at the following rates:
- Unirrigated crop areas: ₹8,500 per hectare
- Irrigated areas: ₹17,000 per hectare
- Perennial crops: ₹22,500 per hectare
The Chief Minister noted that this financial cushion is vital for helping farmers arrange the necessary resources to continue cultivation despite the recent losses. He also lauded the coordinated efforts of the Agriculture Department and the Disaster Management Department in managing the relief logistics.
The event saw the presence of several high-ranking officials, including Deputy Chief Ministers Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, and other senior state ministers, highlighting the government's focus on strengthening the agricultural sector and protecting the interests of the farming community.