Flood-hit farmers to be supplied with seeds

JAJPUR/KENDRAPARA: The Government is contemplating providing the flood-hit farmers seeds and fertilisers at subsidised rates for the rabi season. This was announced by  Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during his visit to the worst-hit areas of Bari and Binjharpur blocks in Jajpur district and Rajkanika block in Kendrapara district.The Chief Minister visited the breaches near Satipadia Harijan Sahi under Bainsiria gram panchayat of Bari block. He spent nearly 20 minutes there and interacted with the affected farmers.Naveen directed the District Collector to assess the damage to standing paddy crop and submit a detailed report so that the matter is taken up with him for  compensation. It will be distributed once the enumeration of damage is completed, he added. The villagers also demanded construction of protection bund on the river banks. Naveen directed the officials concerned to take up repair work on roads and other public installations damaged during the flood. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Revenue Minister Surya Narayan Patra, Bari MLA and suspended BJD leader Debasish Nayak and other government officials.However, people of Bari were denied an audience with the Chief Minister. Villagers of Habalagandapatana village under Rajkanika block in Kendrapara district too returned disappointed when the police prevented them from meeting Naveen.Villagers from different affected villages in Kendrapara district were allegedly paid money to attend the meeting. “A local BJD leader gave me Rs. 200 and a dhoti on Tuesday night,” said Dinanath Behera of Kharianta. District Collector PK Patnaik, Aul MLA Pratap Kumar Dev and Rajnagar MLA Alekha Jena were present.