Bengal assessing situation before declaring drought

The situation in several WB districts, especially Purulia, West Midnapore, Bankura and Burdwan, is “pretty bad”, said state Agriculture minister Purnendu Basu. “Crops are damaged because of no rainfall and water bodies have dried up resulting in massive water crisis. We have sought reports from the concerned departments before declaring which districts are drought-hit. We will take a decision by next week,” said Basu. 

According to him, the DMO’s report on the situation in each of the 19 districts has been sought. While the report of Purulia district is complete, compilation in other districts is on and will be over in another couple of days. “These reports will help us estimate the crop loss in these places and accordingly help us plan how to compensate the farmers. And depending on them, we will also be able to place our demands before the Centre,” added Basu. 

He alleged that the Centre had not responded to the state’s plea last year for relief for drought-hit districts. The Agriculture minister pointed out that a farmer would be compensated if only more than 33 per cent of his crop was destroyed. Talking about damage to crops, Basu said that cultivation of boro paddy, maize and pulses would be badly affected if the current “drought-like” situation continued for another couple of weeks. 

“The situation will surely improve if there is some rainfall for a week or so. Definitely, we are praying for rains and the total situation will reverse,” he said. 

The SC last week criticised the role of few state governments for their “ostrich-like attitude” in declaring drought despite having a rainfall deficit. The state government has decided to allot Rs 75 lakh to the 19 districts barring Kolkata to repair tube wells and drinking water pipelines.