The cabinet has decided to provide liberal compensation to farmers who suffered crop loss due to the recent hailstorms and untimely rains.
The interest on farm loans of affected farmers would be waived, the repayment tenure of their loans rescheduled and input subsidy to raise new crops provided.
The cabinet has decided on compensation of `15,000 per hectare for crop loss in dry land, `25,000 for wet land and `40,000 for irrigated land against `4,500, `9,000 and `12,000 respectively set by the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF).
Briefing reporters about the cabinet decisions, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra said, “Hailstorms and unseasonal rains damaged crops in around 160 villages. However, the compensation will cover just one hectare per farmer”.
End of Affidavit Raj
In a major decision that could bring relief to beneficiaries in availing various welfare benefits, the cabinet has decided to scrap the submission of affidavits.
Henceforth, a self-declaration form providing the required information is enough to avail the benefits, Jayachandra said.
Those who furnish false information or indulge in misrepresentation would be dealt with severely with six months’ imprisonment or a penalty of `1,000 or both.
The departments will publish the model self-declaration form within two months.
More Teeth to Sakala
The Sakala scheme that assures time-bound services in government departments will get more teeth through greater accountability, the minister said.
The maximum limit of the fine, which is `500 at present, will be removed.
The cabinet has also decided to bring more services under Sakala. At present, only 478 services are under the scheme.
Other Cabinet Decisions
■ Rs 1,000 crore to Mysore, Hubli-Dharwad, Mangalore, Bijapur, Shimoga, Tumkur, Gulbarga, Davangere, Belgaum and Bellary City Corporations for improving roads, provide drinking water and Under Ground Drainages.
■ Amendment to rules on admissions to professional colleges managed by private and unaided institutions, which is to benefit students of Hyderabad-Karnataka region.
■ Shifting of Agriculture institution (Diploma course) from Sirsi to Kumta.
■ To delegate powers from the Centre to the state to bring amendments to rules on procurement of rice and paddy through levy.
■ Approval for dismissal of service of K Thimmappa, Deputy Director, Department of Mining, Ramanagaram, trapped by Lokayukta sleuths for accepting bribe.
■ Compulsory retirement for Dr Shivanand, Medical Officer, who was found guilty of misuse of funds under the National Rural Health Mission scheme.