Farmers who lost their crop in the floods this year are to be compensated by the state government within a month, agriculture minister Prem Kumar said on Wednesday.

The minister chaired a review meeting of the department in which he directed officials concerned to complete the crop damage assessment at the earliest. The floods damaged standing crops spread over 8,10,453 hectares of agriculture fields in 216 blocks spread over 19 districts of Bihar. Of the total affected agriculture fields, 6,95,937 hectares were irrigated land and 46,675 hectares were not irrigated. The floods also damaged standing crop of sugarcane spread over 67,840 hectares.

'Our field personnel, including block agriculture officers, have been directed to complete the crop damage assessment at the earliest and around 70 per cent of the work has been done. Only in those areas, which are still under water, the work has not been completed,' the minister said.

He added that after completion of the assessment work, the crop damage compensation funds would be disbursed among affected farmers. 'We hope to deliver the compensation money latest in a month's time,' added Kumar.

According to the norms, a compensation of Rs 13,500 per hectare (upper limit 2 hectares for an individual) is provided for irrigated land for seasonal crops such as paddy, maize and vegetables and in case of unirrigated land for seasonal crops the compensation rate for damaged crops is Rs 6,800 per hectare (upper limit being 2 hectares for an individual).

In case of annual crops such as sugarcane, banana, mango, etc, the compensation is paid at the rate of Rs 18,000 per hectare. The compensation is paid only if the extent of damage is more than 33 per cent of the total crop.

Bihar has demanded a fund of Rs 1,093.36 crore from the Centre under the crop compensation head. The fund would be released after a visit of the central team to the state. The team is likely to visit the state towards the end of this month or in the first fortnight of October.

Farmers, however, are apprehensive.

'There have been occasions in the past when the officials expect some kind of palm-greasing from farmers for making a favourable report. The department should take steps to put a check on such practices if it really intends to help farmers,' said Santosh Paswan, a farmer from Janerwa in East Champaran.

The minister said those facing such a problem should inform the state headquarters using the department helpline number 06122217103.

He said a probe would be instituted in all such complaints and action would be taken in case the field official is found to be indulging in such practices.