BERHAMPUR: Scanty and excess rain damaged paddy crop over 1.9 lakh hectares of land in Ganjam for two consecutive kharif seasons. In last year’s kharif season, district experienced crop loss due to untimely rain and in the second season that ended this year, crops in all the 475 panchayats were damaged due to scanty rainfall. According to the preliminary report sent by the district administration to the government, Polsara block recorded the highest crop damage in 15,000 hectares and Hinjili the lowest in 2,800 hectares. When the State Government declared the district drought-hit, the administration sought ` 135 crore as compensation for the affected farmers. Again after untimely rain marred the crop prospects, the State Government released ` 133 crore as compensation for crop loss. District administration identified 4,86,580 farmers as affected and the funds were handed over to different tehsildars for distribution. However, of the total affected farmers, 62,120 have not yet received compensation. Collectorate sources said the farmers who have not been paid the compensation either remained absent during the survey to recognise them or failed to produce the record of rights. The sources added the survey is still on and the remaining farmers would be compensated soon.Meanwhile, various farmers organisations have alleged that the list of affected farmers did not include share-croppers and has been manipulated. Rushikulya Rayat Mahasabha secretary Simanchal Nahak alleged that the list was prepared without proper verification. “Many farmers who have sold their land since long received compensation,” he alleged. Citing instances, Nahak said one B Padhi of Saru village sold his land around a decade back but his name figured in the revenue record as owner of the land. “Similarly in Pitala and Tanhar, genuine farmers did not receive the compensation though their crops were damaged,” he said.
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