Govt mulling farm package ahead of 2019 polls

Several rounds of discussions have been held and the view emerging within the government favours a limited direct benefit transfer scheme to help small and marginal farmers meet expenses for seeds, fertilisers, pesticides and labour. Sources said the cost of such a scheme would work out to about Rs 1.25 lakh crore and could be jointly borne by the Centre and states. Some of the participants suggested a 70:30 split of the cost between the Centre and states.