From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, May 15: Taking the cue from the Centre, especially the announcements of relief and concessions in tranches as is being done by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has on Friday announced the third instalments of financial relief to provide Rs 5,000 to each maize growing farmers and a cash incentive of Rs 3,000 to each ASHA workers as an one time incentive.

The Chief Minister said the State Government’s relief would benefit 10 lac Maize growers in the State and the grant of financial compensation of Rs 5,000 each to the maize growers would cost the exchequer Rs 500 crore.

Nearly 30-40% of the maize growers have sold their produce at lower prices during the lockdown period, the Chief Minister said and announced that the State Government has decided to provide relief to all maize growers, irrespective of whether they sold the produce or not.

All growers, irrespective of the size of holdings, would get the amount.

Maize is largely cultivated in the districts of Davanagere, Haveri, Dharwad, Chitradurga, Shivamogga, Hassan and Belagavi. Barring Hassan, all the districts are in Northern Karnataka region.

As a one-time cash incentive to corona warriors, ASHA workers, Yediyurappa announced Rs 3,000 each of the 40,250 ASHA workers.

The cash incentive to ASHA workers would cost the State exchequer Rs 12.50 crore.

In the first phase, the State Government had announced a Rs 1610 crore package to different category of people.

In the second phase on Thursday, the State Cabinet had cleared Rs 162 crore package to growers of fruits and vegetable and powerloom workers.

With today’s package, the total size of the relief and concessions offered by the State Government is Rs 2284.5 crore.