Parties indulge in blame-game as Orissa faces massive drought

As Orissa stares at a devastating drought situation due to scanty rainfall, political parties in Orissa have indulged in a blame-game over the issue. The BJP, which deputed a team to the drought-hit state for assessment, said the situation in western Orissa was quite alarming and the affected farmers were preparing to leave their home in search of work in other states. The Pradesh Congress Committee also echoed in similar voice and blamed the state government.

“The drought situation in western Orissa is quite severe. The affected farmers are getting ready to migrate to Surat, Hyderabad, Raipur and other cities to work as daily-wage earners. Labour agents active in the region have already contacted the gullible farmers and even given them advance money to work,” Dillip Kumar Mallick, the BJP state executive committee member, said on Monday.

Mr Mallick was part of a five-member BJP fact-finding team that visited the drought-hit Boudh, Sonepur, Bolangir, Kalahandi and Nuapda district.

The Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) also echoed in similar voice and blamed the state government for the present situation.

“The present drought situation was predicted much before. The state government was well aware that the state would receive deficient rainfall this monsoon. However, it did not put in place required mechanism to provide required assistance to farmers,” said PCC president Prasad Harichandan.

Stating that the state government was quite insensitive to the plight of the farmers, Mr Harichandan said chief minister Naveen Patnaik and his ministerial colleagues had completely forgotten the farmers’ community.

“Debt-ridden farmers are committing suicide. Many farmers are quitting their home to work as migrant labourers. The chief minister has no time to meet the bereaved family members of deceased farmers nor does he assure the affected farmers to take care of their interests against crop loss,” said Mr Harichandan.

A delegation of the state BJP lead by party president K.V. Singhdeo and veteran leader Bijoy Mohapatra, on Monday met the governor Dr S.C. Jamir and urged him to direct the state government to implement contingency plan to overcome the crisis.

Meanwhile, the state agriculture minister Praeep Maharathy held a review meeting in the state secretariat where it was decided to immediately supply power to all the lift irrigation points and make maximum use of other water sources for irrigation. Besides, supply of seeds and other materials at free of cost was also discussed in the meeting.

According to local Met office, Odisha has received only 848.4 mm rainfall by September 13 this monsoon. Ideally, the state receives around 1043 mm rainfall in a normal monsoon.

Agriculture activities like transplantation of seedling have been badly affected as the soil continues to remain dry. This kharif season, about 20.52 lakh hectares of land out of the total 61.80 lakh hectares cultivable areas have been covered under cultivation..

According to government sources, at least 111 of the 314 blocks in the state have received less than the average rainfall so far.

The state government has formed a high-power committee to keep a watch on the drought like situation arised due to scanty fain fall.