Rubber trees with rain guards. File photo | Photo: Mathrubhumi
Kottayam: The Rubber Board has decided to pay compensation to farmers' groups for rain guards installed on their rubber trees. The installation of rain covers began in the previous fiscal year. Due to technical concerns regarding the bill's passage in the new financial year, the process was put on hold. An amount of Rs 23.4 cr was designated for distribution to farmers, and Mathrubhumi shed light on the bureaucratic obstacles impeding the bill.
Typically, agricultural support initiatives, including rain guards, are implemented by producer groups. Following the completion of the work, the bill is submitted to the Rubber Board for approval and disbursement.
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Despite these customary procedures, certain new officials within the Board sought permission from the Union Ministry of Commerce to approve the bill. They mentioned in the file that the work had been conducted during the previous financial year. Consequently, freezing the payment was proposed.
Rs 25 cr was allocated for this purpose. Rs 1.60 cr was disbursed in March.
Farmers will now receive an allowance of Rs 4,000 per hectare for rain guards, whereas the expense stood at around Rs 5,000 per hectare. The outstanding amount of Rs 1,000 will be paid later.