Odisha SRC writes to Collectors for report on crop damage due to Cyclone ‘Michaung’

Suranjan Mishra Published On : Dec 6, 2023 at 6:27 PM

Bhubaneswar: The Special Relief Commissioner (SRC)-Odisha today asked all District Collectors in the State to submit their respective reports on crop damage caused due to Cyclone ‘Michaung’.

“Widespread rain has been observed across that State during the last couple of days under the influence of Cyclone ‘Michaung’, which might have caused damage to standing Kharif crops and horticulture crops. To ameliorate the sufferings of the affected farmers, Agricultural Input Subsidy (AIS), as per norms of the State Disaster Response Fund, will be provided to farmers sustaining crop loss of 33% and above,” Odisha SRC Satyabrata Sahu wrote in his official communique.

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“You are requested to conduct field-level crop loss assessment through joint inquiry by the officials of the Revenue & Disaster Management department and Agriculture & Farmer Empowerment department through eye estimation to ascertain the crop area damaged of 33% & above and submit ULB/ Block/ GP/ Village wise report as per the format enclosed by 12.12.2023 positively (Soft copy of the information in excel format may please be sent to [email protected].),” the SRC insisted Collectors.

While assessing the extent of crop loss, the land schedules/Records of Rights (RoRs) of affected farmers should be verified from Bhulekh. Collectors will accord approval of crop loss (farmer-wise extent of crop area damaged as assessed) and intimate requirement of funds for disbursement of AIS as admissible.

Geo-tagged and time-stamped photographs of the damaged crop area must be taken during assessment and preserved in the Case Records. The Supervising Officers (Sub-Collector/ Tehsildar/ Addl. Tehsildar/ DAO/ BAO) shall conduct test checks to ensure the correctness of the assessment and shall append a certificate to that effect on the damage reports submitted to District Collectors for approval.

“It is made clear that the crop loss/ area of crop loss already reported as affected by floods and heavy rain during the current year shall not be included in the current assessment,” the SRC clarified.

Click here to see the detailed letter: