Drought heat from ruling & Opposition

BHUBANESWAR: The Biju Krushak Janata Dal (BKJD) has rung the alarm bell on the impending drought situation. It has cautioned that the State is facing a severe drought and the Government should look for alternatives to rainwater to check crop damage. In a statement released here, BKJD president Golak Bihari Nayak said there has been 50 per cent deficient rainfall in 13 out of 30 districts. Besides, there has been crop loss in rest of the districts too because of deficient rainfall. He said unless the Government provides water to the farm lands through alternative arrangements, farmers all over the State will face severe crop loss. Nayak suggested that the Government should provide water through lift irrigation points (LIPs). All the LIPs should be repaired and water provided by constructing check dams and strengthening embankments. Bank loans should be provided to the farmers for purchase of diesel pumps at subsidised rate while ` 10,000 assistance should be given at  the panchayat level for activating the pani panchayats, he said. Nayak expressed concern over large-scale migration of workers from the backward districts where crop has failed. Stating that the district collectors should keep a watch on this, Nayak said labour-intensive works should be started to combat this.