Asom waive land revenue for drought

Guwahati, Aug 16 (UNI) Asom government today announced waiving of land revenues for all farmers who have lost their crop in the unprecedented drought rpt drought that has widely affected the state.

''We have decided to waive the land revenue for the year and a series of emergency measures have been initiated which included shallow tubes wells for irrigation,'' said the Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi here today.

Like last 50 years, they were ready for the annual flood with laid down flood manual and stock reserve.

''But this time the whole situation is completely different. This is unprecedented. I have asked the officers to expand the irrigation network in the state for a long term solution,'' he said.

A severe drought-like situation has affected 14 districts of Assam with the rain-fed paddy fields going dry due to deficit in monsoon rains and most of the irrigation system lying waste in the affected districts.

Though the Agriculture Department has estimated the assistance required for the affected farmers at Rs 92 crore, the Revenue Department has so far released only Rs 70 lakh.

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