Question : Assistance for Droughts

(a) the number of representations received by the Union Government from the State Government of Kerala claiming compensation for agricultural loss due to droughts during the last three years, year-wise;

(b) the details of assistance sought, assistance approved and released so far;

(c) the details of the status of pending representations;

(d) whether State Government of Kerala has also sought assistance from the Union Government for revival of agricultural sector; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

‡ãðŠãäÓã ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã ½ãñâ À㕾㠽ãâ¨ããè ( SHRI MOHANBHAI KUNDARIA )

(a) to (c): During the last three years, Government of India has received memoranda from the Government of Kerala seeking financial assistance of Rs.1996.07 crore and Rs.532.78 crore from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) in the wake of Drought-Kharif and Drought- Rabi respectively, in the year 2012-13. Government of India had approved assistance of Rs.62.61 crore for Kharif & Rs.107.89 crore for Rabi in the wake of drought from NDRF.

State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) is readily available with the State Government to take immediate steps to address the notified calamities like, drought, hailstorm, pest attack & cold wave/frost. The SDRF released to the State Government of Kerala in the last three years is as under:
(in Rs. Crore)
Year 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15
Release 100.68 121.51 119.50

(d) & (e): Under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) additional Central Assistance is given to States as grants to incentivize states to increase their expenditure on agriculture and allied sectors. The States have flexibility and autonomy in the process of selection, planning, approval and execution of schemes to make investments in interventions as per their priorities and agro-climatic requirements. During the last three years, Government of India has released Rs. 809.97 crore to Govt. of Kerala under various schemes of RKVY.

******