Maharashtra cabinet today approved a financial package for farmers affected by hailstorm and unseasonal rains in November-December last year.

Kin of the deceased farmers would be given Rs 2.5 lakh, out of which Rs 1.5 lakh will be from the government, while the remaining amount would be from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. Kin of others will get Rs 1.5 lakh, an official release said here.

Farmers, who lost their cattle, will get compensation in the range of Rs 25,000 to Rs 35,000.

The people whose houses were damaged would get compensation in the range of Rs 70,000 to Rs 15,000. While for crop loss, the compensation is from Rs 25,000 per hectare to Rs 10,000 per hectare, the statement added.

In another decision, the cabinet also decided to give time of six months for candidates contesting gram panchayat elections to submit their caste validation certificates.

As per the decision, a candidate contesting in reserved category can submit their certificates within six months of getting elected. 15,000 gram panchayats in the state will go to polls this year.

Source - http://www.business-standard.com