Odisha Govt seeks Rs 1534.82 Crores Drought Assistance from Centre

ONI Bureau:  The Odisha Government has sought central assistance of Rs 1534.82 crores from the Central Government to tide over the drought situation in several pockets of nine districts in Odisha.

A Memorandum on Drought 2018 has been submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India seeking central assistance of 1534.82 crore.

Due to erratic rainfall and moisture stress condition, there was crop loss (mainly paddy) of 33% and above had been recorded in some pockets of the State, the memorandum said.

Worth mentioning, as per the reports received from the district Collectors, the State Government have declared an area of 324590.8 hectares in 6389 villages under 70 Blocks and 101 wards of 19 ULBs of 9 districts as drought affected having sustained crop loss of 33% and above during Kharif 2018.

The crop loss had been recorded in nine districts such as Bargarh, Bolangir, Deogarh, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Naupada, Sambalpur and Sundergarh, the memorandum clarified.