Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi on Sunday visited Ranpur block in Nayagarh district to assess the crop damage caused by unseasonal rains between December 20 and 26. Accompanied by Assembly Speaker and Ranpur MLA Surama Padhy and Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, the Chief Minister interacted with affected farmers and assured them of comprehensive support.
Addressing the farmers, Majhi reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to providing assistance to both insured and uninsured farmers under state and central norms through direct benefit transfer (DBT). He emphasized that no farmer would be left out of the relief measures.
The Chief Minister’s visit to Nayagarh marks the beginning of his on-ground assessment of rain-affected regions. Majhi is also scheduled to visit Ganjam and Gajapati districts, which have witnessed significant damage to standing crops and harvested paddy.
Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister KV Singh Deo, along with other cabinet members, is conducting similar surveys in other districts. Singh Deo visited Niali block in Cuttack and is scheduled to assess crop damage in Jagatsinghpur district.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida will oversee assessments in Bhadrak and Balasore, Food Supply Minister Krushna Chandra Patra in Kendrapada and Jajpur, and Cooperation Minister Pradeep Bal Samant in Khurda district.
The unseasonal rains have affected thousands of farmers across the state. In response, the state government has directed the Agriculture Department to expedite the damage assessment and submit a comprehensive report by December 30.
Over 1.26 lakh insured farmers have already reported their crop losses online under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. The government has also launched awareness campaigns encouraging farmers to report their losses to ensure timely support.