The Cabinet Sub-Committee on Nilam Cyclone met at the State Secretariat on Sunday to review the input subsidy to be given to the affected farmers.
The Sub-Committee meeting chaired by Finance Minister Anan Ramanarayana Reddy was attended by Agriculture Minister Kanna Laxminarayana, Horticulture Minister Ramreddy Venkat Reddy and other senior officials.
It may be mentioned that the state government, in principle, has decided to increase the input subsidy limit from the present Rs. 6,000 per hectare. However, the Cabinet Sub-Committee will decide the amount to be increased. The sub-committee members have also discussed the guidelines which need to be relaxed to increase the input subsidy which is given if the crop damage is more than 50%.
The Centre has given Rs. 4,500 per hectare and the state government has hiked it to Rs. 6,000. The government has also decided to provide seeds and fertilizers to cyclone affected farmers for the ensuing Ragi season. (INN)