NALBARI, March 26 � The State Government has directed the Deputy Commissioners to provide immediate relief to those farmers who are adversely affected due to the ongoing drought-like situation.
The �boro� paddy, early �ahu� and �rabi� cultivations are worst affected due to the rainless condition for last couple of months.
The worried Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday discussed the situation arising out of the drought-like situation with the Agriculture Minister Pramila Rani Brahma, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Dr Bhumidhar Barman and officials of departments concerned and directed them to take all possible steps to minimise the losses of farmers.
While talking to this correspondent, Dr Bhumidhar Barman said on Tuesday that the Deputy Commissioners have been directed to release the funds available in their relief fund which was sanctioned by the Revenue and Disaster Management department on July 28 in 2009. They are also directed to request further requirements of fund to tackle the situation. The minister added that the relief amount will be spent to purchase fuel to run the shallow tubewells and to provide cash benefits to those farmers whose �boro� paddy, early �ahu� and �rabi� crops and affected. The Commissioner Secretary of Agriculture department also sent a letter (AGA-40/2009/467 dated 4th March, 2010) to the Deputy Commissioners and District Agriculture Officers (DAOs) with similar directives.
It may be mentioned here that the rainless situation in Nalbari district has adversely affected the farmers as their paddy fields have dried up.
