Union Ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Dr. Jitendra Singh on Tuesday attended a high-level meeting in New Delhi to announce a comprehensive relief package for flood-affected farming families in Jammu and Kashmir.
Announcing the decision, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the Central Government stands firmly with the people of Jammu and Kashmir during this time of distress.
He informed that 171 crore is being directly deposited into the bank accounts of 8.5 lakh farmers in the Union Territory under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme.
Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the government’s priority is to ensure immediate and long-term relief for the affected farming families. He announced that over 5,000 houses damaged due to the recent rains, floods, and landslides in the Jammu division will be reconstructed with financial and technical support. Each affected household will receive ₹1.3 lakh as basic assistance, along with an additional ₹40,000 per family from the Ministry of Agriculture.
Highlighting the government’s holistic approach, Dr. Singh said that special provisions under NDRF and SDRF norms are being considered for soil restoration and silt removal from damaged farmlands. He added that farmers whose crops were destroyed will also be covered under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), with the state government and insurance companies expediting damage assessment surveys.
To address livelihood challenges, Dr. Jitendra Singh announced that the government will extend MNREGA work days from 100 to 150 days in severely affected areas. He also assured compensation for livestock losses and housing assistance for families whose homes were completely destroyed.
Applauding local agricultural innovations, Dr. Singh cited lavender cultivation and horticultural diversification in Jammu and Kashmir as models of self-reliance and innovation in the Himalayan region. He said that with continued government support through technology-enabled programmes, drone usage, and Soil Health Card initiatives, farmers are becoming increasingly self-sufficient and resilient. He also noted that agri-startups in Jammu and Kashmir are emerging as key drivers of employment and innovation.
He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Agriculture has ensured timely implementation of PM-KISAN and crop insurance schemes even in remote border areas.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, representatives of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, and other officials associated with relief and rehabilitation operations.(KINS)
