State Government has clarified that there is no prohibition on paddy cultivation and tube-well digging for irrigation of the same in areas with ample groundwater table and minimal chances of drinking water crisis, however farmers of such areas should still be encouraged for cultivation of pulses-oilseeds.
Chief Secretary Mr. Vivek Dhand yesterday issued a circular in the context from Secretariat (Mahanadi Bhavan) to all the Divisional Commissioners and District Collectors of the state. Keeping in view the scanty rainfall and drought in kharif year 2017, the situation of discouraging paddy cultivation during summer and optimal utilization of conserved water in drought-affected areas has been explained. Mentioning about the circular issued on November 18 in the circular issued yesterday, Chief Secretary said that the former circular carries the instructions to only discourage paddy farming during summer, as most areas of state has had insufficient rainfall in kharif 2017.
Mr. Dhand stated in the circular- After deliberations, State Government has decided and clarified that there is no ban or prohibition on tube-well digging in the places of state with sufficient groundwater table and least chances of drinking water crises, however cultivation of pulses and oilseeds should still be encouraged. District Collectors have been authorized to take decision regarding whether farmers should be allowed or not to do paddy farming in such areas, instead of oilseed-pulses cultivation, considering the condition of drinking water availability. Chief Secretary has directed the officials to strictly abide by these instructions.
