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The Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram has taken up a massive drought relief programme
in Orissa State in association with the Bhansali Trust of Gujarat. Various
committees have been formed at different levels such as panchayat,
taluka, block and district. The process was completed before April
15, 1997. A total of 3800 villages falling under 495 panchayats in 32
Nanpada, Sonepur and Bargarh districts have been adopted under this project
with its headquarters at Kantabanji (Balangir district).
The drought condition was very severe in the State especially in
the western Orissa owing to irregular rainfall during the last
monsoons. For lack of irrigation facilities, farmers in the drought-hit
areas have to depend on monsoons for agriculture. Last year agriculture in
these areas was totally affected due to paucity of rains. As a result
there is acute drinking water scarcity in these areas.
Usually, the western Orissa is drought-prone region. Although the
incidence of drought is reported year after year, no affective measures
have been taken so far to remedy to situation Instead, government apathy
and callousness has obstructed many projects from being materialised. For
instance, the proposed Chirauli dam project on the Ang (Balangir
district) has been on the files for about forty years. This project, if
completed early, could easily, solve the water scarcity problem in
neighbouring districts of Barghat, Sonepur and others.
Orissa presents a contrasting picture as its eastern part is growing fast,
industrially and economically, the western part remains underdeveloped.
The main reason for western Orissa's backwardness is the lack of industrial
development. All the major industrial houses like the Bokaro and the
Roukela steel plants and other cement factories are located in the
eastern part of the State.
In fact, the western Orissa is gifted with forest cover but it is also
shrinking day-by-day owing to ruthless felling of trees for firewood. A
section of the local population had traditionally been dependent on
forest wealth like collecting tendu leaves. The Government has imposed
restriction on it, which desists the people from obtaining these products.
Unemployment is another problem. Most of the unskilled agricultural
labourers get work only during the agricultural season. If the rain
fails, there is no other means of livelihood for them.
Orissa has been in the news for recurrence of starvation deaths. But no
effort has been made by the State Government to streamline the public
distribution system, under which people below the poverty line
receive foodgrains at the rate of Rs two per kg. Furthermore the
subsidised rice is not reaching them on time and they are left to the mercy
o the corrupt officials. In April this year, the State Government decided
to distribute 7.5 kg of rice per month to the poor. But only the one-fifth
of them is being benefitted by the scheme.
Large-scale migration of villagers
People in large numbers from the drought-affected areas have migrated
to the neighbouring State in search of employment leaving behind their
hearth and home. It is estimated that some three lakh people have
already migrated. Things have come to such a sorry pass that hapless
villagers are selling away their cattle at cheap rate to make ends
meet. Cattle is the backbone of a marginal farmer in rural setting.
Also, in a few cases villagers mortgaged their property in dire poverty.
The former Prime Minister Shri H. D. Deve Gowda had promised a sum
of Rs 40 crore for drought relief in the State. But no funds have so
far reached the State. Sometime ago, the Prime Minister informed the
Lok Sabha that the first instalment of the relief fund had been
disbursed. In this context, he admitted that he did not have any
knowledge about its utilization.
For effective executive of relief work in the region the organiser have
identified the following five aspects :
Rice for victims
The Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram has identified 22,000 needy persons and
distributed 10 kg rice each per month. The scheme was started in April
and will continue till July this year. Till now about 440 tonnes of rice
have been distributed. By this exercise, the incidence of
starvation death has been minimised.
Drinking water facility
The problem of drinking water is also very serious in hundreds of
villages in these regions. The Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram has decided dig new
wells for the purpose or providing drinking water. More than 500
villages would be benefitted by this scheme.
Cattlefeed
The Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram has also planned for distributing
10,000 bags of cattlefeed to poor farmers free-of-cost. Till now some
3000 bags of cattlefeed and 40 truckloads of rice straw have been
distributed in the affected areas.
Milk powder for infants
Milk power is being distributed for infants below the age of three years.
The distribution is being supervised by village committees.
Seeds for farmers
The Ashram has planned to distribute quality seeds to 20,000 poor
farmers free-of-cost. Procurement of seeds for this purpose has already
begun. The planning is to distribute 500 tonnes of seeds.
The drought relief programme will continue till July 1997, by that
time monsoon will arrive. Besides this, the Ashram is planning to start
some development projects in these regions. Some 500 non-former education
centres are being opened up in these areas. Special attention will be
given to cattle farming, afforestation and agriculture in these regions. It
has also been decided submit proposals for minor irrigation works to the
Government.
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