Bhubaneswar: State Revenue Minister Maheswar Mohanty Thursday refuted Union Minister of State for Agriculture’s claim that Odisha has not informed the Centre about the drought situation in the state.
Speaking to the media here, Mohanty said the state government, in a memorandum, has informed the Centre about the drought situation in the 70 blocks of nine districts and has sought Rs 1534 crore relief assistance.
The state government has decided to provide input subsidy to the affected farmers in the drought-hit areas, he said, while displaying a copy of the memorandum to media persons here.
“We have submitted the report when crop cutting began. Photographs have also been enclosed with the report,” he further stated.
Asked about the statement of the Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat that the state government has not informed the Centre about for assistance to deal with the drought situation in the state, Mohanty said the Union minister is not aware of the memorandum submitted by the state government as he has not updated himself on the issue.
Replying to a question raised by BJD MP Anubhav Mohanty in the Rajya Sabha Wednesday, The Union minister had said, “Though the Odisha government has announced drought in some parts of the state, it is yet to submit any memorandum to this effect to the Centre.”