NEW DELHI, Oct 7: In a major relief for flood-affected families in Jammu and Kashmir, the Central Government on Monday announced a ₹171 crore financial assistance package for farmers impacted by recent floods and landslides. The decision was unveiled during a high-level meeting attended by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh.
Announcing the relief measures, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the Central Government stands firmly with the people of Jammu and Kashmir in this hour of distress. He said that ₹171 crore will be directly transferred into the bank accounts of 8.5 lakh farmers across the Union Territory under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme to provide immediate assistance.
Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chouhan for the swift response, informing that over 5,000 houses damaged by heavy rains, floods, and landslides in the Jammu division will be reconstructed. Each affected household will receive ₹1.3 lakh as basic relief, along with an additional ₹40,000 per family from the Ministry of Agriculture for rehabilitation and rebuilding support.
He further said that special provisions are being considered under the NDRF and SDRF norms to support soil restoration and silt removal from damaged farmlands. Farmers whose crops were destroyed will also receive compensation through the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, with the state government and insurance companies directed to expedite crop damage assessments.
Dr. Singh added that the Centre will also extend employment support under MNREGA, increasing the number of workdays from 100 to 150 in severely affected areas. Additional compensation will be provided for livestock losses and housing reconstruction.
Commending local agricultural innovations, Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted that initiatives such as lavender cultivation, horticultural diversification, and agri-startups have made Jammu and Kashmir a model of self-reliance and sustainable growth in the Himalayan region.
He noted that with government-backed initiatives like drone technology integration, Soil Health Card schemes, and technology-enabled programmes, farmers in the Union Territory are becoming increasingly self-sufficient and resilient.
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan lauded Dr. Jitendra Singh’s efforts in maintaining close engagement with the farming community at the grassroots level, reaffirming the government’s commitment to farmer welfare. “Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the Agriculture Ministry has ensured timely implementation of PM-KISAN and crop insurance schemes, even in the remotest border areas,” Chouhan said.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, and representatives overseeing relief and rehabilitation operations in affected regions.
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