Cyclone Fani aftermath: CM Naveen announces Rs 1600 crore livelihood support package

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government today announced a special package of Rs 1600 crore in total for livelihood support for cyclone Fani victims.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today declared a slew of assistance packages for various types of farmers in the State including those involved in fish farming, cattle rearing and even Self Help Groups (SHG) engaged in commercial farming business.

"Agriculture input subsidy of Rs 6,800 will be given as compensation per hectare of non-irrigated land and Rs 13,500 per hectare of land and areas under assured irrigation and Rs 18,000 per hectare for all types of perennial crops," the CM announced.

The State government has decided to supply around 1 lakh vegetable mini-kits to farmers in the Fani affected districts.

Betel cultivators who suffered extensive damages during the cyclone will receive Rs 15,000 each. Similarly, Rs 40,000/unit will be provided for construction of shade net or thatched structure for development of mushroom units. Incentive of Rs 25,000 per hectare will be given to banana cultivators, said the CM.

Declaring reimbursement for cattle rearers who lost their livestock, Patnaik announced that compensation shall be provided at the rate of Rs 30,000 per lost milch cow, Rs 25,000 per bullock, and Rs 3,000 for each goat.

Declaring compensation for fishermen community, CM Naveen said 50% of Rs 80,000 will be provided for a new FRP boat and 50% of Rs 20,000 for net will be provided.

Apart from that, fish farmers affected by the cyclone will get Rs 12,200/hectare of fish farm and SHG units will receive Rs 10,000 as extra seed money, said Patnaik.

Community investment fund at the rate of Rs 1 lakh per women SHG will be provided while Rs 50,000 will be provided to Take Home Ration producing affected SHGs.