Shimla, Feb 23 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Revenue Minister Sat Mahajan today said respective deputy commissioners and departments concerned have been directed to submit a report of losses to the crops of the farmers due to prolonged dry spell in the state during the year.

Replying to a question by Ravinder Singh, Ishwar Dass and Ishwar Dass Dhiman (all BJP), during Question Hour on the second day of the Budget Session here, he said the DCs have been directed on February one, earlier this month, to assess crop loss in their respective areas.

Mr Mahajan said Himachal had received a sum of Rs 77.70 crore from the Centre as relief for the crops damaged due to natural calamities in the state, of which the government had already distributed a sum of Rs 34.60 crore.

Participating in the debate, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said his government was revising the relief manual to provide direct relief to the farmers whose crops were damaged due to natural calamities.

The manual was in the process of being revised to provide for direct relief to the farmers whose crops have been damaged due to natural calamities and it would be brought before the Cabinet for approval, he said. The present manual did not provide for giving direct relief to the affected farmers, he added.

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