DM writes Govt to declare Ganjam district drought-hit

Berhamppur: District Magistrate of Ganjam Dr Krishan Kumar said to write to the Government to declare Ganjam district drought-hit after the demand from all quarters of the district.

To discuss on the drought situation in the district, a meeting was organized in DRDA hall at Chatrapur. During the discussion it was revealed that 1740 revenue villages out of 3216 revenue villages of t5he total 22 blocks of the district were witnessed completely crop loss due to scanty rainfall. Till Monday, 86,825 hectares of paddy field affected by drought out of 2 lakh 10 thousand 450 hectares of paddy field. Due to this reason, the members in the meeting demanded to declare Ganjam district drought-hit.

When we contacted to the Ganjam DM on Thursday, he said that his administration has already received a letter from the State Government to repair the Lift Irrigation (LI) points, crop bond for the farmers and other plans to help the farmers of the district. “15 blocks were declared drought-hit and other seven are in the process. After the estimation of crop loss, the final decision will be taken by the Government”, he added.  

There is acute problem of water in the district. The canals in the district can supply water possibly for seven days only. 2132 pump sets were provided to the farmers against the proposed 5000. Seeds, fertilizer and other facilities will be provided to the Rabi crop due to crop loss in Khariff session. The members who were present in the meeting have given stress on Check Dam construction to save the standing crop. Government has not yet sanctioned money for the repairing of 617 defunct irrigation points which needs 23 crore 10 lakh rupees for its repairing. But Collector told that district administration will get 15 crore shortly for the repairing of the Irrigation points to save the Rabi Crop.

At last he assured to write a suggestion letter to the Government to declare the district drought affected as all the blocks of the districts were severely faced drought situation.

Apart from District Magistrate, DRDA Director M Muthukumar, ZP Chairman Kamraju Sethi, Deputy Director of Agriculture of the District Aparty Sethi, MLAs of different constituencies of the district and district officials were present in the meeting.