Authorities fail to assess crop damage in Chhattisgarh

Despite Chief Minister Raman Singh's instruction, authorities in Chhattisgarh had failed to assess the crop damage caused by Hudhud Cyclone in the state. Singh had directed the state authorities to ensure that the survey work was taken up on October 18 and completed within 48 hours. The intention was to know the gravity of the damage caused because of cyclone and fix the compensation to be paid to the effected farmers.

Following the chief minister's instruction, chief secretary Vivek Dhand had issued a circular to all the district collectors. The chief secretary had asked the district administration to depute the teams and assess the crop damage on October 18 and 19 so that report could be prepared and sent to the chief minister on October 20.

"The report could not be prepared on time," a senior official in the revenue and disaster management cell said. He said the work was affected as Saturday and Sunday were official holiday. The state officials are in touch with the district officials to give final shape to the report underlining the crop damage.

The Hudhud Cyclone that struck parts of Chhattisgarh on October 13-14 had nominal impact effect in the state though heavy rains damaged the standing crops.