Extend support to farmers affected by Nor’wester in Odisha: Pradhan

Bhubaneswar: Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday sought the personal indulgence of Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh to extend all possible support to the farmers affected by the untimely Nor’wester in Odisha.

Pradhan, in a letter to the Agriculture Minister, requested to facilitate assessment of the situation and active intervention to ensure that the farmers get the required support to help them overcome the situation.

Incidents of hailstorms and whirlwinds were reported in various parts of the state during April-May.

He informed that the widespread loss of crops and life in many districts of Odisha have occurred as a result of the untimely Nor’wester.

He said although crop loss assessment hasn’t been done as yet, conservative estimates state that standing crops worth thousands of acres have been damaged due to the calamity.

The intensity of damage is pronounced in six districts of Bargarh, Jajpur, Sonepur, Dhenkanal, Mayurbhanj and Balasore.

Pradhan informed that the situation of distress has already forced farmers to take drastic steps and two farmers have attempted suicide.

“There is, thus an imperative, to ameliorate situation and assuage the distress of the farmers through urgent remedial measures,” said Pradhan.

Meanwhile, the Odisha government has asked all district collectors to complete their assessment on damage due to hailstorm and whirlwind and send reports by May 10.