Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at a high-level meeting at the Secretariat here on Tuesday reviewed the drought-like situation in the State due to erratic rainfall and asked all district Collectors to submit reports on rainfall and crop condition in their districts by October 15.
The Chief Minister said the State Government would assess the drought situation after scrutinising the reports submitted by the Collectors and take suitable action.
He also directed to make all lift irrigation points functional in the areas having scanty rainfall and ensure proper utilisation of canal water. The Chief Minister also instructed that people in the rural area should be assured of their livelihood through MGNREGS. The review meeting revealed that 114 blocks in the State have been affected by scanty rainfall.
Revenue Minister Maheswar Mohanty said “The Chief Minister reviewed the drought situation today. Earlier the report was of 102 blocks in the State having received scanty rainfall. In the latest report it goes up to 114 blocks. As no report has been received from the Collectors yet, no action has been taken,” Mohanty said.
The Collectors have sought more time because they have been asked to submit report gram panchayat-wise. Hence, they have been asked to submit GP-wise report by October 15 and State Government will take action accordingly, added Mohanty.
Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Bishnupada Sethi said, “It was found out that this year the State received 10 per cent less than the normal rainfall. Deficit rainfall has been recorded in 114 blocks and nine districts.
“Dry spell has been marked in 97 blocks as 50 per cent less rainfall has been recorded in consecutively three weeks. Collectors have been directed to submit reports by October 15 and State Government may formally declare drought situation basing on all aspects by October 30,” added Sethi.
Among others, Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout and Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Surjya Naryan Patro were present.