Chief Secretary AP Padhi on Thursday directed different departments and district Collectors to expedite steps to combat the dry and low moisture situations arisen at many places due to scanty rainfall at the earliest.
Padhi issued this direction on a field report submitted by a team of Government officers led by Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi. low moisture situation has occurred in 98 blocks across the State, as per the primary estimation.
The Chief Secretary directed to functionalize lift irrigation points and deep bore wells and to repair old ones in dry areas in Nuapada, Bargarh and Balangir districts at the earliest.
Development Commissioner R Balakrishnan directed the Water Resources Department to repair all irrigation points and submit report every week. He also directed the Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department and Revenue Department to visit the fields and take steps accordingly.
Padhi directed to begin labour-based projects in areas which have witnessed very low rainfall.
Similarly, he directed the Panchayati Raj Department to supply drinking water and the Animal Resource Department to ensue cattle feed in dry areas.