Bhubaneswar: The central government has extended the deadline for insured farmers in Odisha to report crop losses by three days, allowing submissions until January 1, 2025. This decision comes in response to widespread crop damage caused by unseasonal rains, which have severely impacted farmers across the state.
State Government Steps Up Assistance
To address the crisis, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi conducted field visits to the districts of Nayagarh, Gajapati, and Ganjam, where he assessed the extent of the damage and interacted with affected families. Other state ministers have also visited rain-hit areas to monitor the situation and support relief efforts. The Chief Minister has assured farmers that both insured and uninsured individuals will receive compensation to mitigate their losses.
Coordination with the Center
In light of the farmers’ plight, the state government requested the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment to extend the reporting period for insured farmers. Acting on this appeal, the central government approved the extension, a move welcomed by the Chief Minister, who expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for their support.
Opposition Voices Support
Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik visited Ganjam district’s Seragada block on Monday, where he met with affected farmers and reviewed the damage in areas such as Hinjili, Aska, and Kabisuryanagar. Patnaik highlighted the dire situation faced by farmers, noting, “Crop damage during harvest has broken the backbone of farmers. Immediate government compensation is critical to alleviate their suffering.”
Relief Measures Announced
Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to providing compensation to farmers impacted by the incessant rains. During his visits, Chief Minister Majhi inspected paddy fields and assured timely financial aid to all affected farmers.
With the extended deadline for reporting crop losses, the government aims to ensure comprehensive support for the farming community during this challenging time. Farmers are encouraged to submit their claims promptly to benefit from the relief measures.
