BHUBANESWAR: The Congress on Monday demanded waiving of agriculture loans from the farmers and stopping loan recovery immediately from the drought-affected areas in view of the severe drought in several districts in the State. Senior Congress leader Narasingh Mishra demanded immediate declaration of drought basing on the eye-estimation report without waiting further. “At least districts like Nayagarh, Boudh, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Sonepur and Balangir had been facing an acute drought situation. The situation in the six districts is unlikely to improve even if there is rainfall in a day or two,” Mishra told a media conference here on Monday. Former Revenue Minister Jagannath Patnaik and chairman of the farmers’ body of the Congress Amiya Patnaik were present. The party also demanded immediate distribution of seeds, fertiliser and other essential agriculture items to farmers to start rabi crop. Farmers in some parts of the State have also launched an agitation demanding drought tag. A seven-member team of the Congress led by Narasingh Mishra toured the six districts to assess the situation. The Congress leader said people are angry in the affected areas as government has not taken any steps so far to tackle the situation. He warned that the situation may turn explosive in some places if remedial measures are not taken. The team felt that a famine-like situation prevailed in Sinapali and Khariar areas of Kalahandi district and Bangomunda area of Balangir district. The situation is more grim in these areas than the 1965-66 drought, he said. Mishra said despite the announcement by the State Government to increase the area under irrigation to 35 per cent, the tail- ends of Hirakud and Rengali dam projects are not getting sufficient water. He said cross-bunds should be constructed to provide water for the rabi crop. The team will submit its report to the Centre as well as the State Government.A team of senior leaders will also meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on September 15 in Delhi to apprise him of the serious drought situation and the failure of the State Government to tackle it. It will demand financial assistance from the Centre to deal with the situation. Besides, a special package will also be demanded from the Prime Minister for drinking water in view of the crisis in several parts of the State. It should be jointly implemented by the Centre and the State Government.
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