Tamil Nadu: Palaniswami government releases Rs 2,247 crore drought package for farmers

Staying true to his promise on the day of assuming the Tamil Nadu chief minister's office, E Palaniswami today sanctioned the release of a Rs 2,247-crore package for drought-hit farmers.

On Monday, the chief minister said his government would release funds for farmers affected by drought in the state.

According to a statement issued by the chief minister, the sanctioned amount will be directly credited to the farmers' bank accounts.

Farmers who depend on irrigation for their crop will get Rs 5,465 per acre while those who depend on seasonal rain will get Rs 3,000



per acre.

Chief Minister Palaniswami announced the drought package after acquiring a report from senior ministers and IAS officers who visited the drought-hit areas to assess the damage.

The report stated that samba crop spread over 50,34,237 acre has failed and advised a compensation package of Rs 2,247 crore for the farmers.

Tamil Nadu saw a spate of farmer suicides in the wake of drought and crop loss. The National Human Rights Commission had last month issued a notice to the Tamil Nadu government on the increasing number of farmer suicides and deaths in the state.