The BJP organised a massive rally and gheraoed the district Collector’s office here on Tuesday demanding declaration of Nuapada district as drought-hit.
“We don’t understand why the Government has not included Nuapada in drought-hit districts’ list when the situation here is even worse than other districts,” said local MlA and BJP legislature Party leader Basant Panda.
He alleged that the district administration has not sent authentic report to the Government on the drought situation of the district.
According to information, 106 out of total 108 gram panchayats of the district have suffered severe crop damage due to scanty rainfall. The district has recorded 35 per cent less rains since July and in September till Tuesday the precipitation recorded 45 per cent less than the normal.
Panda further alleged that the Government officials didn’t visit the agriculture fields despite his party’s repeated requests.
More than 3, 000 farmers participated in the rally. Among others, party leaders SanjayTiwari, Pruthiraj Mahanty and Chittaranjan Mahapatra were present.