Odisha to submit ATR on drought to Centre on Jan 27

Bhubaneswar: Odisha among 12 drought affected states would submit their action taken report (ATR) on drought to the Centre at a meeting in New Delhi on January 27.

The meeting will be presided over by the Union Agriculture secretary.

On behalf of the Odisha government, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra would submit the ATR to the Centre.

“The state government had announced a drought package on October 14 last year. The state government has initiated a number of steps to tackle drought situation. On the basis of the memorandum submitted by the state government to the Centre, a Central team had visited the drought affected districts of the state. Basing on the report of the Central team, the Centre has sanctioned Rs 815 crore to the state. But the state government has not received the amount till date,” the SRC said.

He said prior to the Central drought assistance, the state government has provided input subsidy to the affected farmers from its own resources.

“I will present all information regarding the steps taken by the state government in tackling the drought situation in the state,” Mohapatra added.

Agriculture minister Pradip Maharathy said his department has provided all information to the SRC.

“We have submitted the report on crop cutting in 50 lakh hectares to him,” he informed.

It may be mentioned that the Supreme Court had directed the Centre and the drought affected states to submit the ATR on drought.

The directive of the apex court had come in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL).