Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Sept 18: Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan Friday urged the Agriculture Ministry to depute a Central team to assess the prevailing situation in Orissa in the wake of agricultural activities being hit due to scanty rainfall. However, BJD activists have termed the move as a ‘political stunt’.
Pradhan said here he has written to Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh requesting him to send a Central expert team to make a preliminary assessment of the crop loss due to drought-like situation in the state.
On account of week monsoonal activities over the state, there has been deficient rainfall, leading to a drought like situation in different parts of the state. It has also adversely affected various farming activities, Pradhan said in his letter.
Dhenkanal, Khurda, Bolangir, Boudh, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Kandhamal and Keonjhar districts have registered less than normal rainfall, he said in the letter.
Stating agricultural activities in 103 blocks of 23 districts have been adversely affected, he said, “kindly depute a Central team for taking a firsthand view of the prevailing drought situation in different parts of the state and suggest remedial measures and strategies for combating agrarian and rural distress.”
Earlier, at the behest of Pradhan, Union health minister had deputed an expert team to Sishu Bhawan at Cuttack. Later, the Centre had deputed a team of doctors to the state which was turned down by the state.
Terming Pradhan’s move as a political stunt, BJD spokesperson PK Deb said, “The Centre should first allow the state government to work. Whenever we need some help from the Centre, we will request them. There is no need for anyone to unnecessarily poke nose into state affairs.”
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has already directed the state agriculture department to assess the crop loss situation and provide compensation as per relief code, Deb added.
“On receipt of the assessment report from officials, the state will seek Central assistance when it requires support from the Central leaders. Not now,” the former minister added.
