CM’s visit, hope for farmers

Berhampur: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s one day Ganjam visit on Thursday have shown a ray of hope to the demand of farmers and farmer bodies of the district. CM visited some drought-hit areas in his visit by road for Aska.

He reached at Aska and started his scheduled work by garlanding the statue of Biju Patnaik at Aska Biju Patnaik Chhak. He laid foundation stone for Vijayawada-Ranchi corridor. Then he addressed the gathering following the inauguration of Aska New Bus Stand. He also visited Sheragada and then his constituency Hinjilicut to inaugurate different projects by the government.

When the newsmen asked about his opinion about the drought situation in Ganjam, he admitted that the problem is very acute. But he did not say about the declaration of drought-hit in the district. And he added that he is looking into the matter.

“We have visited some places of the district today and I have looked at some areas where the drought has taken place. The measures for the drought victim- the farmers, have already been taken. I’m looking into the matter”, said CM at Aska.

The farmers are in distress as they faced drought this year and lost the Khariff crop due to scarcity of water. Most of the political parties and farmer bodies have demanded the government to declare Ganjam district drought-hit. The farmers of Ganjam have given memorandum to the Governor to declare the district drought-hit and help the farmers. While the visit of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik added strength to their hope.