Mathura farmers cry foul as compensation cheques bounce

Farmers in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, were a distressed lot when compensation cheques issued to them for crop damage by state government bounced.

Unseasonal rains and hailstorms have badly damaged crops in large parts of northern India and led to farmers venting their anger against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not doing enough to help the distressed. Over 40 farmers have committed suicide in recent weeks.

Farmers in Mathura District alleged that the state government was making a fool out of them.

"I received the cheque on April 11. It was given by the government. They said that I would get the money as soon as I submit it in the bank. I did so but it bounced. In the memo it was written that they did not have money in their account," said a farmer, Suresh Chandra.

The Uttar Pradesh government has claimed that it has released USD 32.29 million from its contingency fund to cover the crop-related losses.

However, the farmers were outraged when the Faizabad District administration distributed cheques amounting to less than USD 5.

District magistrate Rajesh Kumar said a meeting of bank managers has been called and added that the banks have been instructed not to deny payment to the farmers as there is no dearth of funds.

"I came to know that this incident happened only in one branch and I informed the sub-divisional magistrate. I asked him to inform the higher authorities if such cases come to light. He has already issued notice. We have come to know about two or three cases, these will be solved soon," said Kumar.

Meanwhile, the Government of Telangana is facing flak for its decision to send four legislators on a trip to Israel as 'progressive farmers' to know the technical know-how of modern farming and agriculture.

The legislators will attend the 19th International Agriculture Exhibition in Tel Aviv, Israel for four days starting April 27.

Bharatiya Janata Party leader G Kishan Reddy said, "There are several important people in the rural areas of Telangana who can contribute to the progress of farmers. But in their place, some legislators of the ruling party are being taken to Israel. The legislators can go if they have knowledge about progressive farming and know how to study it. It is not the case. But some ruling party legislators and sons of ministers are going. This is sheer misuse of funds and power."

The compensation amount paid currently by the Centre depends on crop variety and the state where it is being grown. While this monetary benefit would rise, farmers will be able to seek aid even if 33 percent of their crop is damaged, as opposed to more than 50 percent currently.

It is not unusual for federal and state government compensation for crop damage to trickle down slowly, but farmers said they expected more from Modi, who came to power promising efficient and responsive government.

Unseasonable rains this year have damaged over 10 million hectares (24.7 million acres) of crops.

Image used for representational purposes only