Guwahati: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday announced that five districts in western Assam are experiencing drought-like conditions due to significantly low rainfall this season.
Following a cabinet meeting, Sarma informed the media that the state government has given in-principle approval to notify the affected areas.
The final declaration will be issued by the revenue department after formal assessment.
Citing data from the India Meteorological Department and the Central Ground Water Board, the chief minister said these districts have witnessed a rainfall deficit of around 40 percent.
As a result, farmers with crop insurance under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana will be eligible for compensation.
He further warned that if the current dry spell extends through July and August, other regions of the state may also face challenges, potentially affecting the overall paddy yield this year.
Additionally, Sarma claimed that people from as far as Manipur are coming to encroach land in the state, and affirmed his government’s commitment to clear all areas under illegal possession, including forest land.
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He also maintained that there is a ‘design’ in these encroachments, where a handful of people first migrate to an area, start cultivation and soon bring others to start a major illegal settlement.
“In Lakhimpur, where we recently conducted an eviction drive, we found people from Manipur. Today, 12 families from Manipur and Nagaon (in Assam) had reached there. Perhaps, they were asked to come by the encroachers earlier, but they didn’t know that eviction had taken place in the meantime,” Sarma said at a press conference.
