After announcing a drought relief package of Rs 1,350 crore, the state government on Monday decided to distribute subsidized seeds and pay premium against crop insurance on behalf of the farmers. The council of ministers approved 75% subsidy on seeds meant for rabi sowing in 2015 and further extend the relief till the 2016 kharif season. The government also decided to bear the farmers' share of premium for crop insurance payable under the national agriculture insurance scheme — Rs 12.03 crore was sanctioned towards farmers contribution which is going to be compensated by releasing the money directly into the accounts of farmers. Additional chief secretary (home) NN Pandey said since most of the farmers have already paid their insurance premium the amount would be transferred to their accounts. According to the survey conducted by agriculture department Kharif crop in different districts have suffered badly in the wake of poor monsoon towards end of the season. Rough estimates place the loss in the range of 30-40% of the upland crop in different districts. Delayed sowing and delayed harvest of Kharif is likely to adversely affect Rabi sowing for which cabinet decided to take some pre-emptive steps. The cabinet cleared 36 proposals, including the decision to extend mukhyamantri daal-bhaat scheme at night as well. Till date cheap food was available at the Daal-bhaat centres at day time only. "Two night centres would be set up in Ranchi and Dhanbad and one each has been sanctioned for Hazaribagh, Jamshedpur and Palamau district," Pandey said. That apart six model daal-bhaat centres were approved by the cabinet to be set up at Ranchi, Dhanbad, Hazaribagh, Palamu, Deoghar and Jamshedpur. These model centres would have enhanced facilities for those coming to the centres to have cheap meal. "The model centre would comprise proper sitting arrangement and dedicated space for people to sit and a shed," Pandey added. The cabinet's decision also focused on various projects conceived by National Ganga River Basin Authority. Gair Majarua (GM) land has been sanctioned to the authority in Sahibganj district for, intermediate pumping station, solid waste management, sewerage pumping station, main pumping station and sewerage treatment plant. Land was also pledged to Urban Development and Housing department for developing sewerage treatment plant and low cost sanitation project in the district. The council of ministers also approved land to National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Limited in Keredari, Katkamdaag and Barkagoan in Hazaribagh district for coal mining projects and for Railway siding project. The cabinet also decided to establish Motor Vehicle Accident Claim Tribunals in Dhanbad and Jamshedpur for fast settlement of accident related claims. Source - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com