Bhubaneswar: A total of 10,440 villages,
spread over 15 of Orissa's 30 districts, were identified as
drought-hit as more than 50 per cent of paddy crop was lost
due to inadequate rainfall this monsoon.
"The affected farmers in 10,440 villages and urban
pockets will get compensation as announced by the state
government earlier," Revenue and Disaster Management Minister
S N Patro today said.
Stating that about 90 of the 314 blocks in the state
received inadequate rainfall this monsoon, the minister said
Collectors of different districts had submitted their report
on crop loss.
While Mayurbhanj district was the worst-hit, Balasore
had been identified as the least affected district.
The farmers would get Rs 4,000 as compensation over
loss of crop per hectare of irrigated land while the amount
for non-irrigated land was Rs 2,000, the minister said.
Besides, the state government also announced that it
would provide 50 per cent as subsidy on purchase of diesel for
operating water pumps for irrigation purposes.
"The state government will soon submit its report to
the Centre on the drought situation in Orissa," Patro said.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, October 12, 2010, 21:38