PM announces Rs 3,750 crore relief package for Vidarbha farmers

NAGPUR: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday announced a Rs 3,750 crore relief package for the distressed farmers of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra.

The package includes immediate and long-term relief measures for farmers in six districts of the region- Buldhana, Akola, Washim, Amravati, Yavatmal and Wardha.

Singh announced the package at a press conference here on the second day of his two-day tour of the region to assess the problem of farmers in Vidarbha.

He said the measures include waiver of Rs 712 crore of overdue interest on loans taken by farmers, allocation of Rs 2,177 crore for improving irrigation facilities to be released over the next three years, Rs 135 crore to encourage subsidiary income through livestock, cattle and fodder, and Rs 240 crore for watershed development.