(a) whether the National Agriculture Development Scheme has been launched;
(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the criteria for providing assistance to States
under the said scheme;
(c) whether long spell of severe cold has caused damage to crops;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether the Government has received any representations from social organizations
regarding financial assistance to overcome the damage; and
(f) if so, the details thereof and action taken thereon?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)
(a)&(b): Pursuant to the Resolution adopted on 29-05-2007 by the National Development
Council (NDC), a new State Plan scheme of Additional Central Assistance (ACA) for agriculture
& allied sectors, namely, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) has been launched during
2007-08 with an envisaged outlay of Rs. 25,000/- crore during the 11th Five Year Plan.
The broad objective of RKVY is to incentivize the States to increase public investment to
achieve 4% growth rate in agriculture and allied sectors in the 11th Five Year Plan.
The new scheme requires the States to prepare District and State Agriculture Plans and at
least maintain the share of expenditure in agriculture and allied sectors in the total State`s
Plan expenditure.
(c) to (f): Damage to rabi crops is reported in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan,
Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh on account of long spell of severe cold.
Cold wave/frost is not covered under the guidelines of Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) and National
Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF). However, the farmers are entitled for compensation under the
National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS) implemented through the State Governments.