New Support for Farmers
Karnataka and West Bengal Announce Major Financial Relief Packages for Millions of Farmers
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West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced a ₹2-per-unit electricity subsidy for nearly 400,000 farmers, increased state support under PM-Kisan from ₹6,000 to ₹9,000, and pledged to buy farmers’ paddy at a minimum support price of ₹2,700 per quintal. In Karnataka, the government announced ₹1,250 crore in one-time ₹2,500 input subsidies for an estimated 46–50 lakh drought-hit farmers while seeking additional central disaster relief. Banks also agreed to loan repayment moratoriums and restructuring in affected areas, and the state said it had allocated funds for drinking-water relief. Opposition leader R. Ashoka called the subsidy inadequate, arguing relief should be based on acreage because cultivation costs far exceed the flat payment.
Key Points
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West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the state would procure all the paddy farmers wanted to sell and pledged there would be no middlemen or agents; he said MLAs would act as farmers’ guardians.
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Adhikari also reiterated a pledge to provide one lakh jobs during the current financial year, saying the recruitment process would be transparent.
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In Karnataka drought-hit taluks, banks agreed to a 12-month repayment moratorium on Kisan Credit Card and agricultural and allied-sector loans. Repayment periods are to be extended to 36 months in moderately affected taluks and 60 months in severely affected ones.
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Karnataka had declared 177 taluks drought-hit, with the number potentially exceeding 200 as assessments continued; the state reported an overall rainfall deficit of 36 percent.
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Karnataka said it had released ₹117 crore for drinking-water relief and provided a further ₹189 crore through legislators. Water problems had been reported in 531 villages, 111 taluks and 81 wards across 15 urban local bodies.
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