Farmers of tsunami hit Andaman thank PM and Sonia

PORT BLAIR, Aug 31 (UNI): Farmers of the tsunami hit Andaman and Nicobar Islands have thanked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi for enhancing paddy and vegetable compensation rate, which were damaged by the tsunami.

In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, on behalf of farmers of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the lone Member of Parliament of these islands Manoranjan Bhakta expressed gratitude towards Dr Singh and Gandhi for "responding quickly to the plea of tsunami affected farmers".

"Due to the efforts of Dr Singh and Gandhi, the Cabinet has decided to enhance the compensation rates of paddy and vegetable at Rs 2,000 per hectare, over and above the Rs 2,000 per hectare already received.

This is a big relief for local farmers," Bhakta told UNI.

According to Bhakta, "the Cabinet has also decided to pay compensation at Rs 530 per tree lost during the tsunami, in addition to the existing Rs 20, is also appreciable".

"We have been waiting for this decision since the tsunami, it would save our lives," said Ashim Bawali, one of the settler farmers.