UP doubles disaster compensation for families of deceased raises crop-loss relief by up to 30 pc

Lucknow, Nov 6 (PTI) The Uttar Pradesh government on Friday said it has doubled the financial assistance for families of those killed in natural disasters to Rs 8 lakh from Rs 4 lakh and increased compensation for crop damage from 25 to 30 per cent.

     According to a state government statement, the revised relief norms under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) will benefit more than 10 lakh farmers across the state.

     The enhanced assistance will also cover losses suffered between April 1 and November 4, 2026, the statement said.

     Under the revised norms, compensation for crop damage in irrigated areas has been increased from Rs 17,000 to Rs 22,000 per hectare, while assistance for losses in rain-fed areas has been raised from Rs 8,500 to Rs 11,000 per hectare.

     For damage to perennial crops and agroforestry, the assistance has been enhanced from Rs 22,500 to Rs 30,000 per hectare.

     The government has also increased compensation for the loss of livestock, according to the statement.

     Assistance for the death of large animals has been raised from Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000, while compensation for small animals such as goats, sheep and pigs has been increased from Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,500, it stated.

     For the death of horses and mules used as pack animals, the assistance has been enhanced from Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,400. Poultry farmers will now receive Rs 130 per bird against the earlier Rs 100, it added.

     The revised norms also provide for increased assistance to silk producers.

     Compensation for losses in eri, mulberry and tasar silk production has been raised from Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,800 per hectare, while assistance for muga silk production has been increased from Rs 7,500 to Rs 9,800 per hectare.

     Similarly, financial assistance for removing silt from agricultural land has been increased from Rs 18,000 to Rs 23,000 per hectare. Compensation for land damaged by landslides and avalanches has been raised from Rs 47,000 to Rs 60,000 per hectare.

     The government has also revised assistance for damaged houses and public infrastructure.

     For completely damaged houses, assistance has been increased to Rs 1.85 lakh in plains and Rs 2.06 lakh in hilly areas. For partially damaged houses in plains, the compensation has been fixed at Rs 93,000.

     Under the revised provisions, assistance of up to Rs 15.50 lakh will be available for repairs to primary schools, while secondary schools, intermediate colleges and polytechnics will be eligible for assistance of Rs 26 lakh.

     The new norms also provide for assistance to disaster-affected families in relief camps for up to 30 days and drinking water support for up to 90 days in drought-like conditions, according to the statement.

     The government has additionally revised assistance norms for the repair of roads, hospitals, schools and houses, it said.

     The changes are aimed at providing greater financial support to farmers and other families affected by natural calamities, it added.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)