Farmers pinning hopes on the government for succour on the event of crop loss can now heave a sigh of relief. The Cabinet on Wednesday decided to hike the compensation given to farmers for crop loss due to natural calamities. Announcing the decisions, Rural Development Minister K C Joseph said the existing compensation terms were fixed as per the norms of the Union Government. The additional compensation amount will be given by the state government from the Agriculture Department’s funds. The revised rates per tree/plant would be the following: Coconut Rs 700 (existing Rs 102.80), Plantain Rs 100 (5.40), Rubber Rs 300 (36), Cashew Rs 150 (102.8), Areca nut Rs 150 (13.50), Cocoa  100 (36), Coffee Rs 100 (18), Pepper Rs 75 (18), Nutmeg Rs 400 (120), Clove Rs 200 (90), Betel leaf Rs 300 (72) and Tobacco Rs 1,500 (272). Casualty Units at 37 Taluk Hospitals The government has decided to open casualty units at 37 taluk hospitals across the state, which currently don’t have the facility. The hospitals are Parassala, Varkala, Chengannur, Vaikom, Ranni, Mallappalli, Peermed, Adimali, Nedungandom, Thrippunithura, Piravom, Fort Kochi, Vadakkanchery, Mannarkad, Chittur, Pattambi, Perambra, Nadapuram, Thamarassery, Kuttiadi, Kalpetta, Peravur, Neeleswaram, Kadackkal, Sasthamcottah, Pulikkunnu, Pambadi, Kurivilangad, Karuvelippidi, Mattanchery, Konni, Vandoor, Fort Hospital, Chavara and Panur. The cabinet also decided to upgrade the taluk hospitals in Harippad and Thodupuzha to district hospitals. Basic infrastructure facilities at the Kottayam and Malappuram district hospitals will be enhanced and new posts would be created. Also, a decision has been taken to upgrade the CHC at Irikkur to a taluk hospital. Source - http://www.newindianexpress.com