Guwahati, 13 July (HS): Assam Agriculture Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah has announced that farmers whose paddy fields are damaged by wild elephants will now receive government compensation.

Under the new provision, farmers will be provided financial assistance of ₹8,000 per bigha if wild elephants destroy paddy crops in their fields.

The announcement was made last night during the minister's visit to the residence of Anan Kalita at Katahkuchi in Nalbari, who lost his life in an elephant attack. Baruah handed over a one-time financial assistance cheque of ₹4 lakh to the bereaved family and expressed his condolences.---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash