UP compensation for farmers: too little too late

Faizabad: Rubbing salt to injuries of hapless farmers who are reeling under heavy losses after incessant rain, the Faizabad disrtrict administration has issued compensation cheques for paltry sums of Rs 63 and Rs 84.
The district magistrate said he would look into the goof-up and take necessary corrective measures.
Mohammad Sabir, a resident of Wajidpur village of Rudauli Tehsil of Faizabad district is the owner of about 5 bighas of land.
His wheat crop was about to be harvested but bad weather and unexpected rains damaged the entire crop. The sudden and untimely onslaught of weather pushed Sabir and his family to the verge of starvation.
After the announcement from the state government regarding the compensation for the last crops, Sabir’s family was hopeful of a succor. But all their hope evaporated when they got a cheque of compensation for Rs 100 only for his entire 5 bighas loss.
While another farmer, who got a cheque for Rs 63 against the loss of his crops, spread over 3 bighas, said, “Why the administration is playing with us? The crops which I grow in my fields, feed my family and some of the portion I sell for medicines and school fees of children. But what I will do with this Rs 63.”
Similarly, Mohammad Muslim, another farmer of Rudauli tahsil having about 4 bighas of land got Rs 84 as compensation after he lost all his crops.
Faizabad CDO Arvind Malappa Bangari, who is acting DM at present, said that it seemed to be a result of carelessness on the part of lekhpals.
“The cheques have been issued on their reports, if anybody feels the compensation is not enough we will compensate. We are following the guidelines set by national disaster relief fund (NDRF),” he said.