BHUBANESWAR: Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Maheswar Mohanty, on Thursday admitted in the Assembly that a drought-like situation prevailed in some areas of the State due to deficit rainfall in monsoon season.Making a statement on the admissibility of an adjournment motion notice given by Opposition Congress and BJP members, the Minister said he will visit the areas, mostly in the Western Odisha districts, after the Assembly session is over.
Stating that deficient rainfall of 9.9 per cent is not alarming, Mohanty said even then, the drought monitoring cell has met twice and reports have been sought from all collectors.Mohanty said, the State received deficient rainfall of 3.8 pc in June, almost normal (+0.1 pc) rainfall in July and deficient rainfall of 17.4 pc and 29.9 pc in August and September respectively, so far.
Giving blockwise data, the Minister said in 46 blocks there was more than 19 pc of the normal rainfall while 166 blocks received showers ranging from +19 pc to -19 pc. However, 74 blocks received rainfall ranging from -19 to -39 pc while there was -39 to -59 pc rainfall in 25 blocks. Three blocks received more than 59 pc deficient rainfall.
Mohanty assured the House that he would take measures to mitigate the situation and informed the House that as the IMD has predicted heavy rainfall next week, it may help improve the situation. Required steps would be taken as per the relief code after receipt of crop cutting report in October, he said.
Participating in the debate, Leader of the Opposition Narasingh Mishra said, drought like situation prevailed in Balangir, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, Bargarh and Jharsuguda districts.
I will tender unconditional apology in the Assembly if my claims are false. Will the Government take strong action against the district collectors who submitted false reports on the drought situation?” Mishra asked adding that the collectors prepared their reports without making any field visit.
Initiating the discussion, Naba Kishore Das (Cong) described the State Government as anti-farmer and alleged that it has failed to take action anticipating drought after many areas received deficient rainfall. His party colleague Tara Prasad Bahinipati criticised the Government for its failure to complete any irrigation projects during the last 17 years.
KV Singhdeo (BJP) also maintained that drought-like situation prevailed in parts of Odisha and asked the Government to declare drought in the State.Criticising the BJD Government for its failure to fulfil the promise to create 35 pc irrigation potential in every block, Singhdeo said 197 blocks still remain below the target even now.Several BJD members, including former minister Padmanabha Behera, alleged that drought-like situation prevailed in many areas in their constituencies.