The Monsoon Session of the Odisha Assembly commenced on Wednesday on a stormy note as the Congress MLAs created a ruckus demanding discussion over the drought-like situation in the State.The Congress members demanded to cancel the Question Hour and discuss the drought situation first.
However, Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro did not consider the demand citing that Opposition BJP had moved an adjournment motion on a similar topic.
But the Congress legislators stuck to their stand and rushed near the Speaker’s podium. Unable to run the House, the Speaker adjourned it till 12.34 pm. Later, during a discussion on the adjournment motion, both BJP and Congress tried to corner the State Government over the drought-like conditions and the Government’s alleged inaction to meet the situation.
Opposition Chief Whip Mohan Charan Majhi said the Government has not implemented any drought mitigation measures so far.
The Government should immediately declare drought in the State and announce a package for farmers and a taskforce should be constituted for river water conservation.
Congress Legislature Party leader Narasingha Mishra said that as many as 27 of the State’s 30 districts are reeling under drought conditions. He demanded that the Government declare these districts as drought-hit.
Mishra also demanded waiver of farmer loan, provision of seeds and fertilisers free of cost and ensure irrigation to farmlands. Relying to the adjournment motion, Agriculture Minister Arun Kumar Sahoo said Odisha has experienced drought eight times in last 20 years. Till August 28 this year, as many as 23 districts have received deficient rainfall. As against normal rainfall of 877.9 mm in the months from June to August, the State has received 616.4 mm, which is 29.80% less.
The Minister said directions have been issued to the administration to prepare a contingency crop plan, repair and operationalise lift irrigation points, provide pump sets at subsidised prices, release water in canals from reservoirs in phases and take up digging of more farm ponds through MNREGA.
However, the Opposition asked why the Agriculture Minister replied to the House instead of the Revenue Minister, who is in-charge of the concerned department.