By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR:Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik has reviewed the possible desert situation in the state through video conferencing and ordered to deal with it and implement emergency crop scheme for farmers.
The Chief Minister Patnaik said that there has been a shortage of rain in 213 blocks of the state so far, which is expected to affect agricultural programs.
The Chief Minister has ordered the Department of Agriculture and Farmer Empowerment to be alert and monitor the situation on a daily basis. The involved collectors have advised to take immediate action at the field level. The Chief Minister has advised to work on emergency plans for crops, water flowing in canals and Mahatma Gandhi keeping good coordination between sure employment programs.
The Chief Minister has ordered to provide seeds and minikits for the second crop in case of the loss of crops to the farmers and to provide diesel pomphset to the farmers at discounted rates to protect the crops where they are. Similarly, the Chief Minister has ordered to dig ponds for more than half acre of farming land in one place to protect the water supply of farmers.
He has ordered all the irrigation points to be repaired and restored within 7 days, including this. The Chief Minister has advised to prioritize various employment generator schemes to provide livelihood support to small and reputed farmers and agricultural laborers. The Department of Irrigation has advised to take steps to ensure water supply for the farmers in the lower areas and for underground water recharging.
He has ordered district and municipality authorities to take steps to ensure that drinking water is not scarcity for the public and livestock. The Chief Minister has advised to take all steps to reduce the effect of desert on farmers and the general public. The Supreme Court directed the Central Government to file counter affidavit in
