Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi on Sunday visited Ranpur block in Nayagarh to assess the crop damage due to the recent unseasonal rains. Majhi was accompanied by Odisha Assembly Speaker and Ranpur MLA Surama Padhy and Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari.
At Ranpur, the Chief Minister interacted with the farmers and assured them of all possible assistance.
Majhi is also scheduled to visit Ganjam and Gajapati districts which have witnessed widespread crop damage due to unseasonal rains.
The unseasonal rains from December 20 to 26 caused extensive damage to standing crops and harvested paddy in several areas of the state.
Keeping the plight of the farmers in view, the Odisha government has decided to provide assistance to all affected farmers, both insured and uninsured, as per the norms of the state and Centre. This support will be extended through direct benefit transfer (DBT).
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister KV Singh Deo visited Niali block in Cuttack and is scheduled to visit Jagatsingpur districts to assess crop damage. Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida will survey crop damage in Bhadrak and Balasore, Food Supply Minister Krushna Chandra Patra in Kendrapada and Jajpur, and Cooperation Minister Pradeep Bal Samant in Khurda district.
Majhi has directed Agriculture department officials to submit an assessment report by December 30.
Over 1.26 lakh insured farmers have already reported their damages online under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
