Dec 18, 2011
4TH ORIENTATION PROGRAM-CUM- PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL FOR JR. CLERKS CONDUCTED
After the recruitment of Jr. clerks in the district, the district administration has been conducting orientation programs meant for updating the skills of the ministerial staff. Three such programs were conducted by the district administration. This time along with orientation, it was decided by Collector Rayagada to conduct an appraisal test for the newly recruited clerks to assess their competence win day to day work.V. Jayakumar, IAS,Sub Collector Gunupur conducted the program. He gave a presentation about noting, drafting and different types of letters that are used for different purposes. Along with him, some senior and experienced ministerial staff trained the newly appointed ones about various skills that a good clerk should learn and imbibe.
Dec 16, 2011
DROUGHT SITUATION GETS CRITICAL IN RAYAGADA DISTRICT
Collector Rayagada in his letter to the Special Relief Commissioner has informed that in Rayagada District the drought like situation has become precarious and as things stand 145 out of 171 Gramapanchayats ( list given separately) have shown crop loss of more than 50 %.( Paddy as well as Non-paddy) The situation was fine till the first week of October,2011 because of intermittent rains. However, by the start of November, 2011 things started to get worse as there was no rain fall there after. Even in those G.Ps. where the crop loss is not reported to be more than 50 % there is still heavy crop loss in the range of 30 to 40 %. Winter crop cutting experiments are going on in full swing in the district and a detailed report will submitted based on the findings of this joint crop cutting experiments, as prescribed by the Relief code, by the end of December, 2011. However, based on this latest findings from the field, it is seen that more than 45% of the total cultivable area has already reported crop loss to the tune of more than 50%. The situation has become very critical and Collector Rayagada has requested the government to declare the entire district as drought affected. Given below is the list of the GPs having more than 50% crop loss.
Dec 15, 2011
Dec 14, 2011
RAYAGADA POLICE SEIZE MAJOR ARMS DUMP OF NAXALS
Rayagada Police have recovered huge cache of arms and ammunitions from a Maoist dump located in the dense forest surrounded Situagudi village of Chandrapur block bordering Phulbani district on Monday.
15 landmines weighing 5 kg each, 18 Tiffin carriers used for making bomb, 14 country-made guns, 6 pressure bombs, 50 detonator empty cases,17 detonators, 6 gun barrels, 8 12 bore rounds,5 HE grenades,6 country made bullets,5 wire bundles and Maoist literatures have been recovered from the dump.
Superintendent of Police Anoop Krishna said the dump was made by Maoist leader Azad 2-3 years back and was to be put to use to carry out major attack in the district and the neighboring areas. Particularly after the elimination of Kishenji, there were intelligence reports of major retributive action from the side of the naxals. The seizure of this cache therefore assumes great importance and has certainly helped in averting what could have other been a major setback for the police forces engaged in anti Maoist operations.
This seizure happens to be another major achievement of Rayagada Police this year after the major encounter in the Kashipur area, where more than 13 Maoists were killed in exchange of fire with the forces.
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Dec 12, 2011
BODY BUILDING COMPETITION IN RAYAGADA
As a part of the ongoing Yuva Mohatsava ( Youth festival), whichis organized as a part of the state level festival by sports department, a body building competitiion was organized in Rayagada town hall today. The idea of district level body building competition was mooted when some body builders came to call on Collector Rayagada after having won some competition. The district administration was then planning the dist level youth festival. Collector Rayagada proposed to include a body building competition as part of the youth festival and the district sports officer, Sri. Satyanarayan Senapati coordinated with the concerned officials and people in general to organize this competition.
Many youth from poor background, most of them belonging to tribal communities, participated with great enthusiasm in this competition. Body building is a resource intensive task. For a person from poor background, maintaining the levels of nutrition and at the same time supporting the family is a tight rope walk. It is only their passion and dedicated to this art or sport whatever one may like to call it, that inspite of all hardships and impediments, these boys dedicate themselves to this task. To encourage them cash prizes were given instead of trophies or shields. Some of the prizes were sponsored by Collector Rayagada himself. While addressing the participants, Collector Rayagada told them that their strength and skills will be put to best use, if it is used in the interest of the society and to help protect the poorer and weaker sections of the society.
Many persons from Rayagada district who were into body building, but have ceased to be actively associated with this aport, had come to see this competition i the Town hall of Rayagada Municipality, which was more than filled to its capacity.
Many youth from poor background, most of them belonging to tribal communities, participated with great enthusiasm in this competition. Body building is a resource intensive task. For a person from poor background, maintaining the levels of nutrition and at the same time supporting the family is a tight rope walk. It is only their passion and dedicated to this art or sport whatever one may like to call it, that inspite of all hardships and impediments, these boys dedicate themselves to this task. To encourage them cash prizes were given instead of trophies or shields. Some of the prizes were sponsored by Collector Rayagada himself. While addressing the participants, Collector Rayagada told them that their strength and skills will be put to best use, if it is used in the interest of the society and to help protect the poorer and weaker sections of the society.
Many persons from Rayagada district who were into body building, but have ceased to be actively associated with this aport, had come to see this competition i the Town hall of Rayagada Municipality, which was more than filled to its capacity.
SELECTION OF EXCISE CONSTABLES
The Excise Commissioner, Odisha has sanctioned three posts of Excise Constable to Rayagada district vide their letter No-4923/Ex., dated 11.7.2011 and the roster wise vacancies were published centrally in Odia dailies. The roster wise vacancies are as follows:
1. S.C. (Women)------------01
2. U.R.(Male)-----------------01
3. S.T. (Male)-----------------01
As per the guidelines of the Excise Commissioner, Odisha a District Level Selection Ccommittee was formed comprising of the Collector as Chairman, Supdt. of Police, District Sports Officer and District Welfare Officer as members and the Supdt. of Excise as Member-Convener to scrutinize the application, measure the physical standard and conduct the physical and written test. In response to the Notification 94 (Ninety four) applications were received within the stipulated date i.e. by 30.09.2011 and 02 (two) applications received after due date on 10. 10.2011 and 12.10.2011. After formation of the Committee, 1st meeting was conducted on 08.11.2011 & 9.11.2011 to scrutinize the applications. The following members & their nominees were present.
1. Sri Durga Prasad Mahapatro, O.A.S-I, Tahasildar, Rayagada (nominee of the Collector-Cum-Chairman)
2. Sri V.R.Rao, Dy. Supdt. Of Police, Rayagada (nominee of the Supdt. of Police, Rayagada)
3. Sri Ganeswar Bharimal A.D.W.O., Rayagada (Nominee of D.W.O.)
4. Sri Satya Narayana Senapati, District Sports Officer, Rayagada
5. Sri Bijay Kumar Mishra, O.E.S-II, I/c Superintendent of Excise, Rayagada Member-Convener.
The two applications received after the due date has not been taken into consideration & rejected by the Committee and kept in the closed cover. The remaining 94 (Ninety four) applications along with the proforma biodata were placed before the Committee for scrutiny. It is seen that, Some of the applicants from general and SEBC category have deposited the application fee in shape of I.P.O. instead of Bank draft as required in the notification. It is also seen that, although there is no vacancy notified for S.C. (Male) category, 19 applications were received from S.C. Male category. In this regard the Excise Commissioner, Odisha vide their letter No-8018/Ex., dated 09.11.2011 has clarified that, there is no legal bar to accept Indian Postal Order subject to decision of the District Selection Committee and the S.C. (Male) candidates applied shall be considered against U.R. category.
Hence, it was decided by the committee that, all the candidates those who have deposited the application fee through I.P.O shall be allowed to physical test and all the S.C. (Male) candidates shall be allowed against U.R. category. Out of the 94 (ninety four) applications, 25 (twenty five) application were rejected due to the defects mentioned against each of their names in annexure-A and reflected in the register. Hence, The committee was finally decided to issue call letters to the 69 (Sixty Nine) (64 male + 05 female) candidates to appear for the physical measurement and Physical Test on 28.11.2011 & 29.11.2011.
On 28.11.2011 all the members of the recruitment committee were remain present during physical measurement test. The D.S.P., Rayagada & A.D.W.O., Rayagada were present on behalf of the S.P., Rayagada & D.W.O., Rayagada respectively. The Tahasildar, Rayagada was also present as the nominee of the Collector, Rayagada. Out of 69 candidates 16 candidates (15 male + 1 female) were remained absent in the physical measurement test. The original documents of the remaining 53 candidates were verified and the physical measurement was done in presence of all the members at R.S.E.W.C. Govt. High School, J.S.Co., Rayagada. Out of 53 candidates (49 male + 4 female), 27 candidates (25 male + 02 female) were disqualified in physical measurement.
The remaining 26 candidates (male-24 & female-02) were selected for physical efficiency test held on the same day ie. on 28.11.2011. In the Physical Efficiency test, broad Jump was conducted initially and out of 26 candidates 05 candidates (04 male + 01 female) were dis-qualified in broad jump. The details of broad jump and the marks obtained by the candidates is enclosed in two sheets for both male and female candidates separately as annexure-IV & V respectively. The rest 21 (male-20 + female-1) candidates were called to appear for 1.6 kms Run. In the event 15 (male-14 + 1 female) candidates were dis-qualified.
No further events were conducted for female candidates as all the female candidates were dis-qualified. The remaining 06 male candidates were called for Rope climbing. Out of six male candidates one candidate disqualified in Rope climbing.
Hence, the remaining 05 male candidates were called for high jump and Swimming test for the very next day i.e on 29.11.2011 On 29.11.2011 all the provisionally selected 05 male candidates were present before the committee and appeared for high jump. All the candidates were qualified in the high jump.
After completion of high jump test, all the 05 eligible candidates were called for swimming test. The swimming test was taken up at a pond located near village “Munising” under Chandili P.S. All precautionary measure was taken for the safety of the candidates. As per the guidelines, swimming test was conducted for 40 mtrs. All the above 05 candidates were qualified in the swimming test.
The academic performance of the 05 candidates was also verified from the original certificates of the candidates. As none of the candidates have obtained 41% or more in the H.S.C examination as required, so the marks against the academic performance is found to be zero for all the candidates.
As per the notification made by the Excise Commissioner, Odisha the candidates those who were qualified in the physical measurement and physical test called for written test. The written test was conducted on 11.12.2011 at 11.30 AM in the D.R.D.A. Conference Hall, Rayagada in presence of all the members and Chairman-cum-Collector, Rayagada. After completion of the written test all the answer sheets were kept in a closed cover under proper seal in presence of the members and the candidates and handed over to the Chairman of the District Level Selection Committee.
A final mark list have been prepared indicating the marks obtained in physical measurement, physical efficiency test, educational achievement and written test is kept in records. The final merit list have been prepared on the basis of final marks obtained by the candidates in the physical measurement, physical efficiency test, educational achievement and written test. The detailed merit list is noted below.
01 28 Gen Sri Santosh Chatti Merit No. -01
02 29 Gen Sri Raj Mohan Deo Merit No. -02
03 76 S.C. Sri Chandan Pani Merit No. -03
04 42 S.T. Sri Niranjan Majhi Merit No. -04
05 81 S.C. Sri Akula Raja Merit No. -05
According to the final merit list, Sri Santosh Chatti (UR) and Sri Niranjan Majhi (ST) was selected as Excise Constable against UR and ST category respectively. As none of the lady candidates qualified in the physical efficiency test, the Committee has decided to put forth the matter before the Excise Commissioner, Odisha for filling up the vacancy against SC women. The committee concluded the process and requested the Member- Convener to send all the required documents, broad sheets, mark sheets to the Excise Commissioner, Odisha for kind approval.
1. S.C. (Women)------------01
2. U.R.(Male)-----------------01
3. S.T. (Male)-----------------01
As per the guidelines of the Excise Commissioner, Odisha a District Level Selection Ccommittee was formed comprising of the Collector as Chairman, Supdt. of Police, District Sports Officer and District Welfare Officer as members and the Supdt. of Excise as Member-Convener to scrutinize the application, measure the physical standard and conduct the physical and written test. In response to the Notification 94 (Ninety four) applications were received within the stipulated date i.e. by 30.09.2011 and 02 (two) applications received after due date on 10. 10.2011 and 12.10.2011. After formation of the Committee, 1st meeting was conducted on 08.11.2011 & 9.11.2011 to scrutinize the applications. The following members & their nominees were present.
1. Sri Durga Prasad Mahapatro, O.A.S-I, Tahasildar, Rayagada (nominee of the Collector-Cum-Chairman)
2. Sri V.R.Rao, Dy. Supdt. Of Police, Rayagada (nominee of the Supdt. of Police, Rayagada)
3. Sri Ganeswar Bharimal A.D.W.O., Rayagada (Nominee of D.W.O.)
4. Sri Satya Narayana Senapati, District Sports Officer, Rayagada
5. Sri Bijay Kumar Mishra, O.E.S-II, I/c Superintendent of Excise, Rayagada Member-Convener.
The two applications received after the due date has not been taken into consideration & rejected by the Committee and kept in the closed cover. The remaining 94 (Ninety four) applications along with the proforma biodata were placed before the Committee for scrutiny. It is seen that, Some of the applicants from general and SEBC category have deposited the application fee in shape of I.P.O. instead of Bank draft as required in the notification. It is also seen that, although there is no vacancy notified for S.C. (Male) category, 19 applications were received from S.C. Male category. In this regard the Excise Commissioner, Odisha vide their letter No-8018/Ex., dated 09.11.2011 has clarified that, there is no legal bar to accept Indian Postal Order subject to decision of the District Selection Committee and the S.C. (Male) candidates applied shall be considered against U.R. category.
Hence, it was decided by the committee that, all the candidates those who have deposited the application fee through I.P.O shall be allowed to physical test and all the S.C. (Male) candidates shall be allowed against U.R. category. Out of the 94 (ninety four) applications, 25 (twenty five) application were rejected due to the defects mentioned against each of their names in annexure-A and reflected in the register. Hence, The committee was finally decided to issue call letters to the 69 (Sixty Nine) (64 male + 05 female) candidates to appear for the physical measurement and Physical Test on 28.11.2011 & 29.11.2011.
On 28.11.2011 all the members of the recruitment committee were remain present during physical measurement test. The D.S.P., Rayagada & A.D.W.O., Rayagada were present on behalf of the S.P., Rayagada & D.W.O., Rayagada respectively. The Tahasildar, Rayagada was also present as the nominee of the Collector, Rayagada. Out of 69 candidates 16 candidates (15 male + 1 female) were remained absent in the physical measurement test. The original documents of the remaining 53 candidates were verified and the physical measurement was done in presence of all the members at R.S.E.W.C. Govt. High School, J.S.Co., Rayagada. Out of 53 candidates (49 male + 4 female), 27 candidates (25 male + 02 female) were disqualified in physical measurement.
The remaining 26 candidates (male-24 & female-02) were selected for physical efficiency test held on the same day ie. on 28.11.2011. In the Physical Efficiency test, broad Jump was conducted initially and out of 26 candidates 05 candidates (04 male + 01 female) were dis-qualified in broad jump. The details of broad jump and the marks obtained by the candidates is enclosed in two sheets for both male and female candidates separately as annexure-IV & V respectively. The rest 21 (male-20 + female-1) candidates were called to appear for 1.6 kms Run. In the event 15 (male-14 + 1 female) candidates were dis-qualified.
No further events were conducted for female candidates as all the female candidates were dis-qualified. The remaining 06 male candidates were called for Rope climbing. Out of six male candidates one candidate disqualified in Rope climbing.
Hence, the remaining 05 male candidates were called for high jump and Swimming test for the very next day i.e on 29.11.2011 On 29.11.2011 all the provisionally selected 05 male candidates were present before the committee and appeared for high jump. All the candidates were qualified in the high jump.
After completion of high jump test, all the 05 eligible candidates were called for swimming test. The swimming test was taken up at a pond located near village “Munising” under Chandili P.S. All precautionary measure was taken for the safety of the candidates. As per the guidelines, swimming test was conducted for 40 mtrs. All the above 05 candidates were qualified in the swimming test.
The academic performance of the 05 candidates was also verified from the original certificates of the candidates. As none of the candidates have obtained 41% or more in the H.S.C examination as required, so the marks against the academic performance is found to be zero for all the candidates.
As per the notification made by the Excise Commissioner, Odisha the candidates those who were qualified in the physical measurement and physical test called for written test. The written test was conducted on 11.12.2011 at 11.30 AM in the D.R.D.A. Conference Hall, Rayagada in presence of all the members and Chairman-cum-Collector, Rayagada. After completion of the written test all the answer sheets were kept in a closed cover under proper seal in presence of the members and the candidates and handed over to the Chairman of the District Level Selection Committee.
A final mark list have been prepared indicating the marks obtained in physical measurement, physical efficiency test, educational achievement and written test is kept in records. The final merit list have been prepared on the basis of final marks obtained by the candidates in the physical measurement, physical efficiency test, educational achievement and written test. The detailed merit list is noted below.
01 28 Gen Sri Santosh Chatti Merit No. -01
02 29 Gen Sri Raj Mohan Deo Merit No. -02
03 76 S.C. Sri Chandan Pani Merit No. -03
04 42 S.T. Sri Niranjan Majhi Merit No. -04
05 81 S.C. Sri Akula Raja Merit No. -05
According to the final merit list, Sri Santosh Chatti (UR) and Sri Niranjan Majhi (ST) was selected as Excise Constable against UR and ST category respectively. As none of the lady candidates qualified in the physical efficiency test, the Committee has decided to put forth the matter before the Excise Commissioner, Odisha for filling up the vacancy against SC women. The committee concluded the process and requested the Member- Convener to send all the required documents, broad sheets, mark sheets to the Excise Commissioner, Odisha for kind approval.
Dec 8, 2011
VISIT OF WORLD FOOD PROGRAM TEAM TO RAYAGADA
The World Food Program team headed by Mr. Torben Due, Director Operations and comprising of Mr. John Aylieff, Deputy Regional Director for Asia, Mr. Peter Rodrigues Senior program advisor, Office of Deputy Executuve Director Operations, Ms. Mihoko Tamamura, Representaive & Country head for India WFP, Mr. Micheal Jensen, Deputy Country Director India WFP, visited Rayagada district today to asses the progress and future requirements of the Biometric based targeted PDS project that is being implemented in the Rayagada district. Ms. Ravneet Kaur IAS, Joint Secretary from the ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India was also present.
Collector Rayagada, Dr. Nitin.B.Jawale, IAS gave a presentation on the project in general and the latest issues in particular as given below:
After the inauguration of the project on 18th August 2010, number of errors were detected in the database such as wrong classification of a beneficiaries ( BPL being classified as APL), mistakes in names, village and Gram Panchayat names and like. The quantum of such mistakes was about 5% of the database of about 1.9 lakh odd. Also there was the issue of the persons whose names figured in the 1997 BPL survey, but were not included in the 2002 survey, but still were enrolled under this project and were issued with Biometric based smart cards or bar coded cards and coupons. The allotment for such beneficiaries is an issue that needs to be sorted out, as the district administration does not get allotment for these beneficiaries.Lastly the issue of left out households remains.
These impediments prevented the full and final roll out of this project in the form of generation of computerized MIS. For a year district administration with the support of WFP had been working at rectifying the errors in the database and at this stage, as things stands, most of the wrong classification cases have been rectified and their cards sent for printing by WFP. The district administration will distribute these cards as soon as it receives from WFP. Also for the enrollment of the left out families, which again forms about 5% of the total database of household, 2 mobile vans have been kept at the disposal of the district administration. Only if the issue of the households who have already been issued biometric based cards, but fro whom the district administration does not receive allotment, is sorted out by either the Govt of India or the state govt, the district administration will be in a position to operationalize the MIS in full. This will then make this project a model to be replicated elsewhere in the state or the country.
Inspite of these glithces the project implematation has ensured that about 22,000 bogus/ ghost cards were eliminated and leakages and pilferages in the PDS were effectively checked, which resulted in the saving of Rs. 3 crore sin one year in this district alone.
Because of the specific last mile issues and problems, the Collector Rayagada stressed the need for enhancing the handholding period by WFP for another year, after the the previous duration ends in May 2012.
In the afternoon the team visited the Maitree Fair Price Shop in Rayagada Municipality area and the Penta GP office, which also acts as a FPS. The team closely examined the working of this system in urban areas, where the essential commodities are distributed by the way of a PoS ( Point of Sale) device, which reads the biometric based smart cards and in the rural area, the system, which is based of bar coded card and coupons.
Collector Rayagada, Dr. Nitin.B.Jawale, IAS gave a presentation on the project in general and the latest issues in particular as given below:
After the inauguration of the project on 18th August 2010, number of errors were detected in the database such as wrong classification of a beneficiaries ( BPL being classified as APL), mistakes in names, village and Gram Panchayat names and like. The quantum of such mistakes was about 5% of the database of about 1.9 lakh odd. Also there was the issue of the persons whose names figured in the 1997 BPL survey, but were not included in the 2002 survey, but still were enrolled under this project and were issued with Biometric based smart cards or bar coded cards and coupons. The allotment for such beneficiaries is an issue that needs to be sorted out, as the district administration does not get allotment for these beneficiaries.Lastly the issue of left out households remains.
These impediments prevented the full and final roll out of this project in the form of generation of computerized MIS. For a year district administration with the support of WFP had been working at rectifying the errors in the database and at this stage, as things stands, most of the wrong classification cases have been rectified and their cards sent for printing by WFP. The district administration will distribute these cards as soon as it receives from WFP. Also for the enrollment of the left out families, which again forms about 5% of the total database of household, 2 mobile vans have been kept at the disposal of the district administration. Only if the issue of the households who have already been issued biometric based cards, but fro whom the district administration does not receive allotment, is sorted out by either the Govt of India or the state govt, the district administration will be in a position to operationalize the MIS in full. This will then make this project a model to be replicated elsewhere in the state or the country.
Inspite of these glithces the project implematation has ensured that about 22,000 bogus/ ghost cards were eliminated and leakages and pilferages in the PDS were effectively checked, which resulted in the saving of Rs. 3 crore sin one year in this district alone.
Because of the specific last mile issues and problems, the Collector Rayagada stressed the need for enhancing the handholding period by WFP for another year, after the the previous duration ends in May 2012.
In the afternoon the team visited the Maitree Fair Price Shop in Rayagada Municipality area and the Penta GP office, which also acts as a FPS. The team closely examined the working of this system in urban areas, where the essential commodities are distributed by the way of a PoS ( Point of Sale) device, which reads the biometric based smart cards and in the rural area, the system, which is based of bar coded card and coupons.
Dec 6, 2011
Dec 1, 2011
COTTON PROCUREMENT MEETING CONDUCTED
Rayagada district is one of the few cotton growing districts in the state of Odisha. This year due to less than normal rainfall the cotton crop is likely to suffer. In this backdrop the cotton procurement meeting was conducted in the Rayagada on 29.11.11 in the DRDA conference hall. Other than Collector Raygada and officials of the Agriculture depy, such as Deputy Director Agriculture and Subject Matter Specialist (SMS) cotton, the meeting was attended by cotton millers, Representative of Cotton corporation of India (CCI) and the agencies which are a part of contract farming in this district.
One of the major development is that unlike last year, the cotton will be procured at Minimum Support Price, as was the practice in the years previous to last one. Last year CCI had decided to do away with the MSP and instead the farmers had to sell their produce at the prevalent market rate.
Also the issue of non flowering of the seed provided by one agency, Pratibha Syntex was raised by Collector Rayagada. The representatives of Pratibha Syntex were told to explain about the situation. According tho them , the had supplied the JK Durga variety, which was supplied last year also and there was no problem with germination or flowering. The seeds were supplied by one Naveen Jain from Madhya Pradesh and it was apparently the same variety as last year. However it remains to be understood as to why the germination and flowering did not occur this year. Collector Rayagada categorically told them, that the responsibility is squarely theirs and one thousand odd farmers that have procured seed from them need to be compensated properly. Since there has been no problem with the seeds supplied by the other two agencies, it is inferred that the seeds supplied by Pratibha Syntex were of spurious quality and has lead to loss to the farmers. Collector Raygada stressed the need to compensate the farmers who have sustained loss, as Cotton cultivation is a capital intensive task and any failure may lead to serious repercussion.
SMS cotton informed the house that this year the yield will be reduced from 18 bales per acre to 12 , due to bad rains.
One of the major development is that unlike last year, the cotton will be procured at Minimum Support Price, as was the practice in the years previous to last one. Last year CCI had decided to do away with the MSP and instead the farmers had to sell their produce at the prevalent market rate.
Also the issue of non flowering of the seed provided by one agency, Pratibha Syntex was raised by Collector Rayagada. The representatives of Pratibha Syntex were told to explain about the situation. According tho them , the had supplied the JK Durga variety, which was supplied last year also and there was no problem with germination or flowering. The seeds were supplied by one Naveen Jain from Madhya Pradesh and it was apparently the same variety as last year. However it remains to be understood as to why the germination and flowering did not occur this year. Collector Rayagada categorically told them, that the responsibility is squarely theirs and one thousand odd farmers that have procured seed from them need to be compensated properly. Since there has been no problem with the seeds supplied by the other two agencies, it is inferred that the seeds supplied by Pratibha Syntex were of spurious quality and has lead to loss to the farmers. Collector Raygada stressed the need to compensate the farmers who have sustained loss, as Cotton cultivation is a capital intensive task and any failure may lead to serious repercussion.
SMS cotton informed the house that this year the yield will be reduced from 18 bales per acre to 12 , due to bad rains.