Naveen to visit rain-hit areas to assess damage.

Even as the state government announced compensation to the farmers for crop loss due to untimely rain, resentment is growing thick and fast among the affected. In view of the grim situation, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik would visit rain-hit areas on Sunday to take stock of the damage.

As per sources, chief minister would visit worst-affected Ganjam, Gajapati, Sonepur and Bolangir districts to assess the magnitude of crop damage. During his visit, CM would interact with farmers at Polsara, Hinjilikatu, Parlakhemundi, Rampur and Tushura.

On the other hand, the farmers in Ganjam district continued their agitation on Saturday demanding more assistance to compensate their loss due to untimely rains. Besides this, the farmers blocked roads and burnt tyres protesting the flawed survey work conducted by the district administration.

The farmers at Aska, Sergarh, Dharakot, Kabisuryanagar, Sanakhemundi and Digapahanti took to the street demanding consistent survey by competent authorities.

``The Agriculture Development Officer in our area has submitted a report citing that there was only 30% crop loss whereas the exact amount of crop loss is 90%. The ADO has submitted the report without even holding consultation with us,`` Trilochan Jena, a farmer in Belguntha area said.

The crop loss situation is also grim in Balasore district. A marginal farmer, Maheswar Nayak, of Kayenda village allegedly committed suicide after consuming poison due to crop failure.

Similarly in Deogarh, reports of farmers staging demonstration in front of block and tehsil offices also came in.

``The rains have damaged the paddy and the rest have germianted,`` Gangadhar Sahu, a farmer in Kalyanpur area said.

The situation in Nayagarh is no different. The farmers are having sleepless nights due to crop damage. Besides, the loan burden is compounding their woes.

On Friday, the state government announced compensation package for affected farmers.

In case of 50 per cent or more damage of agriculture crop, horticulture crop and annual plantation crop, the small and marginal would be provided with Rs 4,000 for irrigated land and Rs 2,000 for non-irrigated land per hectare as agricultural assistance while minimum assistance amount was fixed at Rs 250.

Similarly, the farmers undertaking perennial crop and sustained crop loss of 50 per cent or more would get Rs 6,000 per hectare as assistance while minimum assistance amount was fixed at Rs 500.

This apart, the input subsidy was announced for one hectare of land. However, this was for farmers other than small and marginal farmers.

``An amount of Rs 6000 per hectare will be given for round the year crop loss, Rs 4000 per hectare will be given for crop loss in non-irrigated land and Rs 2000 per hectare will be given for crop loss in irrigated land. The rest of the package will be announced by the CM after he goes through the report,`` Revenue Minister Surya Narayan Patro said.