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Bhubaneswar: Even as a year has elapsed since chief minister Naveen Patnaik announced to give additional assistance of Rs 100 per quintal of paddy to drought affected farmers, the state government has recently directed the collectors to distribute the amount within three days, which has raised question over the successful disbursement as the identification process has not yet completed.
The chief minister had announced to give Rs 100 per one quintal of paddy as additional assistance to drought-hit farmers during procurement. Patnaik had made the promise while addressing a farmers rally at Sohela in Bargarh on November 19, 2015.
After a year, Patnaik had launched e-transfer system last month at Secretariat thereby giving the special assistance to affected farmers of Bargarh, Bolangir and Khurda districts. The chief secretary had recently asked the collectors of 24 districts after a review to disburse the amount to the beneficiaries within three days.
It is known from the review that Rs 83 crore will be disbursed among 3 lakh affected peasants in three/four days.
The Opposition parties have questioned the government efficacy over successful execution of the declaration.
"The chief minister did exactly against his promise. How can we believe that the amount declared by him would be disbursed to 3 lakh farmers within three days", said Amiya Patnaik, Congress Krushak Morcha president.
BJP alleged that the BJD-led government has gone against its promise.
"This government is only declaration centric. It does not do anything according to its announcement. As a result, the farmers are mostly facing problems", BJP spokesperson Sajjan Sharma said.
But, the ruling party asserted to fulfil its commitment. "Yes, identification process has delayed. But the government would surely stick to its commitment. The farmers may not get their dues in three days, but we expect they will get the same within a year", BJD spokesman Amar Satpathy said.
