While inaugurating a Farm Information and Advisory Centre for Joda block on January 19, Champua MlA Sanatan Mahkud said Joda mainly being a mining belt area, fertility of agricultural land of the area is badly affected by pollution created by dust and smoke of nearby mines and factories. He suggested for construction check dam over river and pollution free atmosphere and use of cow dung manure to bring improvement in the agriculture of the block.
He declared to supply power tillers, seed and other agricultural equipment to the local famers free of cost on behalf of Jagat Janani Trust. Among others, who were present included Keonjhar Collector Bishnu Prasad Sahoo, DDA Rabinarayan Panda, Champua Sub- Collector Sridahar Naik and agriculture officer GajendraNath Gocchayat.
Collector Sahoo held a public grievance meeting of Joda block in which nearly 22 complaints were received. Prominent cases included miserable condition of landless Adivasi people who have given land to Tata Sponge. The Collector instructed officials to make coordinated effort in consultation with Tata Steel officials to supply water to Joda Municipality.