: Crop loss due to the prevailing drought in Kanniyakumari district is being surveyed under the ‘truthing sampling’ methodology as per the revised guidelines of the Central government, said Revenue Minister R.B. Udayakumar here on Friday.
Addressing a review meeting at the Collectorate after inspecting Pechiparai dam, Mr. Udayakumar said that a quick assessment of drought was simultaneously conducted by ministers and officials across 31 districts. Officials had been instructed to carry out the assessment with precision and there should not be any variation between the crop damage claimed by peoples’ representatives and the official assessment.
The State-wide assessment took stock of crop loss, availability of fodder, water storage in waterbodies to meet drinking water supply and irrigation and loss of employment to farm labourers and it would also ensure that livelihood of farmers should not be in peril. Officials should ensure that none of the affected farmers were left out in the assessment report.
The Minister asked the officials to create awareness among the farmers of crop insurance , as a farmer could get anywhere between Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 22,000 per acre as compensation.
The Minister said that the crop loss assessment report prepared by the district administration would be submitted to the government within two days through the District Monitoring Officer and Principal Secretary to Government (Information Technology) T.K. Ramachandran.
Mr. Ramachandran said that 23 out of the total of 288 revenue villages in Kanniyakumari district were identified as drought-hit. The damage should have the support of photo evidence, Mr. Ramachandran said.
Collector Sajjansingh R. Chavan said that crops cultivated on 300 hectares in 23 villages were affected by drought and if the prevailing drought situation continued, another 86 hectares would be lost. Later, the Minister, along with the district monitoring officer and Collector, met farmers in Osaravilai, Karumbattur, Potraiyadi and Vazhukkamparai. District Revenue Officer S. Elango, officials from agriculture, PWD and other departments accompanied the Minister.
