Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, on Tuesday, announced input assistance of around Rs 200 crore for the distressed farmers of the drought-affected areas of Odisha.

The entire expenditure will be borne by the state government, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).

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Around 2,63560 hectares of crop land in 64 blocks and 15 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of  12 districts have suffered crop loss  of 33 percent and above. So far, many of the affected farmers have not yet received their Crop Insurance dues despite continuous follow up and pursuance by the state government with the technical advisory committee under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, it said.

Considering the gravity of the situation, demands of the affected farmers and crop loss reports by the Collectors, the Chief Minister has decided to provide assistance out of the State’s own resources.

The collectors of the affected districts have been directed to submit the requirement of funds to SRC and appropriate steps will be taken for immediate disbursement of assistance.  It is estimated that about Rs 200 crore will be disbursed to overcome the distress of the farmers, the statement concluded.