**Bhubaneswar: ** Taking stock of the lurking drought-like situation in the State due to erratic rainfall this monsoon, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday directed all District Collectors to submit report on rainfall and crop condition in their respective districts by October 15 positively.
Presiding over a high level review meeting at the State Secretariat on the day, the CM said that the State Government would gauge the real situation of drought after assessing the reports submitted by the Collectors as well as taking into account the yardsticks of drought management.
The CM also issued directions to activate soon the lift irrigation points in the areas having received less rainfall. Even stress was also given on proper management of canal water.
The CM also instructed to take utmost care so that the rural populace gets ample scope in eking out their living from the MGNREGS.
The review meeting revealed that 114 blocks in the State have been affected by scanty rainfall.
Revenue Minister Maheswar Mohanty informed media, “The Chief Minister reviewed drought situation today. Earlier the report was of 102 blocks in the State having received scanty rainfall. Latest report goes up to 114 blocks. As no formal report has been received from the Collectors yet, we’re yet to take tangible action. The Collectors have sought more time because they have been asked to submit report GP-wise. Hence, they have been asked to submit GP-wise report by October 15 and State Government will take action accordingly.”
Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout said, “All the employees of our department at the grassroots level have been asked to assess drought situation at every panchayat because monsoon has turned erratic. While one village is receiving rains, another is under sun. Hence, utmost care need to be taken to avoid error as had been in 2015-16. State Government is fully prepared to deal with the drought exigencies. All sorts of aid and assistance will be provided to the farmers. Just we’re waiting for the formal report as we want that the really affected farmers should be duly compensated and aided.”
Cooperation Minister Surya Narayan Patro said, “An important aspect is crop insurance. 12 lakh farmers, who have taken loan from the cooperative societies, have been covered under the insurance scheme. Hence, the nodal officers have been asked to see that documents related to insurance have been duly submitted. Again the Chief Minister will take up the issue and the final decision on drought will be made after the formal reports are submitted by the Collectors.”
Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Bishnupada Sethi informed, “Rainfall in Odisha since June 1 to September 30 was examined. It was found out that this year received 10% less than the normal rainfall. Deficit rainfall has been recorded in 114 blocks and 9 districts. Dry spell has been marked in 97 blocks as 50% less rainfall has been recorded in consecutively three weeks. Collectors have been directed to submit report by October 15 and State Government may formally declare drought situation basing on all aspects by October 30.”