(a) whether hailstorms and untimely rains in various parts of the country have
damaged the cash crops and other crops, particularly in West Bengal;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has provided financial aid to the affected States to
help them face the impact of the hailstorms/untimely rains;
(d) if so, the details of funds sanctioned and released to the affected States,
State-wise; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor ?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD
PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)
(a) to (e): In the wake of natural calamities of severe nature, which includes
hailstorm, State Governments are required to submit a memorandum to the
Central Government for financial assistance from National Disaster Response
Fund (NDRF). As such government of West Bengal has not submitted any
memorandum seeking relief assistance on account of crop damages due to
hailstorm.
State Governments are empowered to initiate necessary relief measures
in the wake of natural calamities, including hailstorm, from State Disaster
Response Fund (SDRF), which is readily available with them. Government of
India supplements the efforts of the State Governments by providing requisite
financial and logistic support, over and above SDRF, from National Disaster
Response Fund (NDRF) for natural calamities of severe nature as per
established procedure and extant norms.