The Maharashtra government has estimated that the recent hailstorm in the state has damaged cops worth Rs 3135 crore. According to the state revenue department, the panchanama (damage assessment of crops) has been done and the report has already been submitted to the finance department. Jalgaon, Marathawada and Vidharbha are among the areas which are affected by the hailstorm. The total cost of crops damage in Jalgaon is Rs 96 lakh while Rs 1307 crore in Marathawada and Rs 1818 crore in Vidharbha. The total hailstorm affected area is 2.90 lakh hectares.Mostly rabbi crops such as wheat, orchid like mango, grapes and orange were damaged in the hailstorm in February. "We have received the report and will soon start releasing the compensation amount to the hailstorm affected farmers. Some of the compensations will be given through crops insurance and the remaining will be given by the government," Pandurang Phundkar, the agriculture minister told DNA. Maharashtra government has also issued the criteria for the eligibility of farmers to avail the benefits of the compensation. As per the notifications, at least 33 per cent crops of a farmer should be damaged for him/her to get a compensation for a maximum of two hectares of the damaged crops. The compensation amount will be released by district collectors after the damage assessment is conducted. Phundkar added that they are committed to extending help to the affected farmers. "In the winter session, we had promised that panchanama will be done and immediately the fund will be released. Now, things are working in right directions," said Phundkar. However, the opposition is unhappy with the state government. State opposition leader, Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil said, "The announced compensation by the government is inadequate to recover the losses. Therefore, we will raise this issue again in the budgetary session." Source - http://www.dnaindia.com