Submit crop loss report by Oct 15, CM tells collectors

BHUBANESWAR: Even as first suicide by a farmer during the current kharif season was reported from Nuapada district, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday asked the district Collectors to submit their report on deficient rainfall and crop loss by October 15.
With 114 of Odisha’s 314 blocks getting scanty rainfall this monsoon, the State Government will assess the drought situation based on the panchayat-wise reports submitted by the Collectors and other parameters. The Chief Minister issued the instructions while reviewing the situation at a high-level meeting at the Secretariat here.

Naveen also asked the officials to energise and repair all the lift irrigation points in deficient rainfall areas immediately so that the standing crops could be saved. He asked officials of Water Resources Department to properly manage supply of water through different canals. Besides, the officials have also been asked to ensure that people in rain deficit areas get jobs under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).According to a report of Agriculture Department, Odisha received 1028.3 mm rainfall by September-end against the average rainfall of 1144.3 mm. The State has received deficient rainfall of 10.1 pc between June and September.

While only one district has received more than normal rainfall by September-end, 20 districts have received normal rainfall. As many as nine districts have received less than normal rainfall during the period. Though the State Government set a target to undertake cultivation in 61.525 lakh hectare during kharif season, agricultural activities have been reported from 59.809 lakh hectares by September-end. Paddy cultivation has been taken up in 36.261 lakh hectare.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Maheswar Mohanty, Cooperation Minister Surya Narayan Patro, Chief Secretary AP Padhi, Development Commissioner R Balakrishnan and senior officials attended the meeting.