Though the Orissa government has not yet declared any district as drought affected, 3264 villages and 41 wards spread over 15 districts have suffered more than 50 percent crop loss in the production of autumn paddy.
The districts included Sundergarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda and Nuapada among others.
This is based on the preliminary estimation made on the basis of the crop cutting. Meanwhile, input subsidy is being provided to the affected farmers as per the Central Relief Fund (CRF) guidelines, according to state minister of revenue and disaster management, S.N. Patro.
Patro said, declaration of districts as drought affected is made on the basis of the clause 28 and 29 of the Orissa Relief Code (ORC). During the Khariff season, the concerned district collectors send the crop loss report to the revenue department and special relief commissioner (SRC) along with the comment of the concerned Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC).
While the collector sends the report by 15 January every year, the SRC submits his report to the government by 31 January along with his own comment.
Similarly, 27,780.99 acres of agricultural land was converted to homestead, tank, commercial and industrial use during the last 9 years. These conversions were allowed in 10 districts like Ganjam, Deogarh, Dhenkanal, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Nayagarh, Raygada, Khurda, Koraput and Bhadrakh.
The highest amount of agricultural land was converted for non-agricultural use in Balasore district with the total conversion being 9148.051 acres. It is followed by Bhadrakh district where 4108.54 acres farm land has been converted for non-agricultural use.
