Though the union government had recommended assistance of Rs.4,000 crore for the state, there had been nothing from the Natural Calamity Relief Fund (NCCF).

According to the chief minister, the eligibility criteria for relief assistance should be 25 percent crop loss, not 50 percent.

He also asked the central government to help farmers who had been unable to pay their electricity bills by paying 50 percent of the amount payable as on March 31, 2009. The remaining amount was being borne by the state government, he said.