Orissa Drought 2001:
Its Magnitude and Consequences

Akhil B. Ota

Paper presented at the conference Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction: Lessons From Eastern India, 25-27 September 2001, by Akhil B. Ota.

BACKGROUND & TIME LINE OF DROUGHT IN ORISSA    

Drought is not new to Orissa and it’s people. As a matter of fact, drought is being experienced by Orissa & its people almost on a regular basis. Each year in some region or the other drought is occurring, but with varying magnitude & proportion. Historical data reveals that the first drought of severe nature that struck the State was in 1866 & ever since this till now, drought of moderate to severe nature has been experienced 17 times. This indicates that drought of moderate to severe nature occurs in Orissa once in almost 8 years duration on an average. When one looks at the time line of drought, it is observed that drought of severe nature has been experienced by the state on 4 occasions – in 1866, 1919, 1965 & 2000-2001. Although several severe droughts have occurred in the past, the drought of 2000-2001 assumes great significance from its magnitude, proportion & severity points of view. The drought of 2000-2001 can be described as extremely severe, unprecedented & is probably the worst ever in the living memory of mankind. Truly speaking, even after 53 years of India’s Independence, Orissa continues to be a drought-ravaged state. As early as 1866 (mentioned above), the year of great famine to even as recent as 1999, the year of super cyclone and the current year 2000, floods, cyclones, droughts & famines have consecutively devastated the state, affected lakhs of the inhabitants & served as a severe blow to the growth of this backward state. Unfortunately, the killer cyclone of 1999 is followed by a devastating famine as a result of severe drought in 28 out of 30 districts. As has been mentioned earlier, droughts however, are not an unlikely or strange phenomenon of this State. West and South Orissa are facing frequent drought situation and the whole area is heading towards a process of desertification. 

The single important factor, which has contributed to the severe drought in the State, has been the abysmally low rainfall. In fact, with the monsoon coming to an end towards October, the rainfall pattern during the period does not augur well for the state. Though overall scenario in plain meteorological words can be termed deficient but with a degree as highly deficient & even scanty rainfall were experienced in most districts. Moreover, the pattern of rainfall this year is highly localised creating pockets of deficient rainfall and due to such erratic & inadequate rainfall, paddy crops in an area of about 8.4 lakh hectares, mostly in high & high-medium lands, faced moisture-stress conditions. Though rainfall in the first fortnight of September becomes most crucial for paddy crops, it played truant. As against a normal rainfall of 235.1 mm during August- September, the state received only 153.1 mm, which was deficient by 35%. Similarly, the State received just 35.8 mm during the month of October against normal rainfall of 116.3 mm, which was deficient by 71 percent.  During the year 2000, all the districts, more or less, recorded rainfalls on the negative side. In the earlier years, during the months of June, July & August, generally paddy transplantation work is done by the cultivators. During the aforementioned three crucial months (June to August), the State had adequate rainfall only in the month of June recording 216.4 mm rainfall as against a normal rainfall of 219 mm, but the rainfall started decreasing from the month of July (250.9 mm against 372.6 mm) and in August (259.6 mm against 357.8 mm). From this rainfall pattern, it can be understood that when crops needed the rain most, there was no adequate rain. Another interesting feature is that the rainfall was very erratic, scanty & more localised in several parts of the State during the 2000 monsoon. The data gathered from the meteorological office indicate that out of the 30 districts in the State, one district has experienced 60% less rainfall, while 6 districts have experienced 40 to 59% less rainfall whereas 15 districts & 8 districts have experienced 20 to 39% and 7 to 15% less rainfall respectively. This scanty, sporadic rainfall has contributed to the crop loss to a large extent and has lead to a severe drought situation in the state of Orissa, which is unprecedented & possibly the worst ever in the living memory of humankind.

In this paper, an attempt has been made to indicate the highlights of the magnitude of the drought, its consequences and also the possible areas of interventions for countering the adverse effects of the severe drought. The nutritional analysis of the children below 3 years of age also has been included in this report in 9 districts, which are worst affected by drought. In addition to the above aspects, a brief note on the Starvation Deaths during the year 2000-2001 on account of drought as reported by the media has been included in the report. This report is an outcome of the Government data on the drought, media reports and also on the basis of the interactions made with the organisations, institutions & individuals engaged in the drought related matters besides empirical data based on some field visits to the drought affected areas.                                        

MAGNITUDE OF DROUGHT & DROUGHT SCENARIO

As has been discussed above, drought is the effect, which is mainly caused due to the inadequate rainfall, & the former is negatively correlated with the latter. The extent of rainfall in a region is reflected in the shape of crop yield. The better the rainfall, the higher is the crop yield & conversely lower the rainfall lower is the crop yield and greater is the crop loss as has been experienced in Orissa & elsewhere. Although drought is a common phenomenon in Orissa, yet this year it has been severe & it has affected most of the districts of Orissa and has also affected some of the cyclone affected districts where the situation is alarming followed by the trauma of super cyclone. In view of this, an attempt has been made to analyse the actual rainfall status in each of the districts against the normal rainfall on the basis of which the districts will be classified in respect of their degree of effect.  

STATUS OF RAINFALL – A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS         

More than 50% of the agricultural land in Orissa is not provided with irrigation facility & hence depend largely on rain water. Considering the fact that crop in more than 50% of the agricultural land are rain fed, extent of rain plays a very crucial role in determining the food grain production in Orissa. The average annual rain fall in Orissa as estimated is 1482 mm and experience indicate that about 1300.8 mm rain is experienced between mid June to end of October every year. But, in the current year, that is during 2000 the State has received only 914.1 mm rain, which is 70.27% of the expected rain, which normally the State receives by the end of October each year. Like wise, by the end of October this year as against 87.77 percent, the State has only received 61.68% of the annual rain fall which is abysmally low.

Although the rainfall has been abnormally low this year, it has further added to the woes

of the people as during the month of July to October when the rainfall is highly required for ensuring better crop the rainfall has been 30 to 70% less than the average rainfall which has led to the severe crop loss in the State. Statistical data indicate that during the month of June, there was adequate rainfall, which was 98.8% of the total average rainfall in the State for the month, but during the subsequent months the rainfall was only 67%, 73%, 65% & 29% in the month of July, August, September & October respectively. As a matter of fact, the rains of July is of great importance for the cultivation as the crops are transplanted during the months of July & August & similarly adequate rains is also highly required during the months of September & October because it is during these two months the paddy plant flowers & the grains come out. As the rainfall was too scanty in these crucial months this year, there has been huge crop loss in the State, which is leading to drought, food insecurity & famine of worst nature having far reaching consequences.

When the rainfall data is desegregated, it is observed that there are only 8 districts, which have received more than 80 percent rainfall by the end of October whereas all the remaining 22 districts have received less than 80 percent rainfall during 2000 by October end. The rain statistics indicate that districts like Kalahandi, Nawarangpur, Koraput & Baleswar while have received more than 90 percent rainfall, there are 4 districts such as Malkangiri, Ganjam, Khurda & Nayagarh, which have received 71 to 80% of the usual rainfall. Likewise, there are as many as 9 districts which have received 61 to 70% of the usual rainfall during 2000 & the districts are Sundargarh, Boudh, Rayagada, Cuttack, Angul, Jajpur, Jgatsinghpur, Bhadrak & Puri. Further, there are 5 districts experiencing 51 to 60 % of the usual rainfall (districts such as Deogarh, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Bolangir & Kendrapada) whereas Nuapada & Jharsuguda are the two districts, which have received rainfall to the tune of 50% & 40% respectively of the usual rainfall by the end of October 2000.  The above analysis of data basing on the rainfall recorded up to October 2000 reveals that there are 7 districts which have received very scanty rainfall recording less than 60% of the usual rainfall and can be termed as most severely affected from the standpoint of inadequate rainfall (Jharsuguda, Nuapada, Deogarh, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Bolangir & Kendrapada) whereas there are 9 other districts which have been less adversely affected (moderately) receiving rainfall, which is more than 60% but less than 70 percent of the usual rainfall. On the other hand the remaining 14 districts although have received comparatively better rainfall than the once which are severely affected, yet they are marginally affected.

Although the above analysis gives us a picture of the districts on the basis of the rain fall received there are some blocks/places where crop loss have been countered partially due to scope of irrigation & other viable alternative countering strategies. Therefore although the districts rainfall gives us a fairly good idea of the overall situation of the inadequate rainfall in the State in different regions, the crop loss or the extent of land affected due to the crop loss can give us a more clear picture about the drought scenario in specific places (districts & blocks).

STATUS OF CROP LOSS – A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Consequent upon the erratic & scanty rainfall in most of the districts of Orissa during the year 2000, there has been a good deal of crop loss and a large extent of land has remained fallow. During the current year, due to good pre-monsoon rain & early monsoon preparations for agriculture such as land preparation, sowing of paddy seeds of short duration variety were sown in the field after the first couple of rains in the first half of June. But after giving a good start, rains stopped for about 4 weeks from the third week of June till end of 2nd week of July. This lack of rain for a spell of 4 weeks the seeds that were sown & germinated in the field died and at many other places germinated seeds which were to be sown in the field could not be sown due to lack of subsequent rains.  Thus, due to lack of rain the farmers sustained huge loss & in most of the cases they could not sow seeds in the field for the second time and huge extent of land remained fallow. In most of the places after the July 2^nd week rains were experienced, but there was sporadic rain not conducive for the cultivation of paddy. This is the reason a huge area remained fallow and most of the places where paddy & other crops were grown could not grow well as per the expectations of the farmer & gave very low yield.  As a consequence of this, the people whose main stay is agriculture in Orissa suffered in varying degrees from place to place.  

The Statistical information indicates that during the Khariff crop of 2000, a total crop area of 10.69 lakhs hectares of land were affected in varying degrees. The break up information indicates that out of the total land affected by crop loss, 3.48 Hects. belong to High Land Category whereas 5.16 Hects.  & 2.05 Hects.  Hects. of land belong to the Middle Type of Land & Low Land respectively.  The average yield per acre also went down substantially in case of the main crop - paddy in Orissa. The data reveals that while the average per hect. Yield of paddy in normal years was 20.70 Quintals, in the current year it came down to 9.62 Quintals per hectare. Like wise, while the average total yield of paddy every year in the State of Orissa is 22.64 lakhs tons, in the current year it came down to 10.51 lakhs tons. In fact, it has been estimated that there has been a total loss of 12.13 lakhs tons of crop amounting to roughly Rs. 642.89 Crores in the State during the year 2000.  Analysis of data further indicates that a total extent of 1.12,000 hectare of land remained fallow in Orissa during the Khariff crop. Out of this, 20 thousand hectares of land remained fallow in Bolangir where as 14 thousand, 11 thousand, 18 thousand, 6 thousand & 43,000 hectares of land remained fallow in the districts of Baragarh, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Jajpur and other districts respectively.  

When the degree of loss of crop is projected, it is observed that while a total area of 623.32 hectares of land will sustain less than 50% crop loss, an area of 202.40 hectares & 243.11 hectares of land will sustain crop loss in the range of 50% to 75% and more than 75% respectively.

When the district wise analysis of data is attempted to assess as to how many blocks in each district are expected to sustain crop loss indicating the extent of crop loss, it is observed that out of 314 blocks, there are167 blocks which have sustained crop loss in varying degrees. Out of the 167 affected blocks projected to sustain crop loss, statistical data indicate that there are 69 blocks where more than 50% crop loss has been estimated whereas 43 blocks & 55 blocks have been identified where crop loss has been projected to be less than 50% (but more than 25%) & less than 25% respectively.

But when the district wise analysis of anticipated crop loss is taken for analysis, it is revealed that there are 6 districts such as Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Nuapada, Boudh & Angul where all the blocks have suffered crop loss. But on the other hand, there are 12 other districts (such as Sundargarh, Bolangir, Sonepur, Bargarh, Mayurbhanj, Phulbani, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Kendrapada & Keonjhar) where more than 50% blocks have suffered crop loss. Although all the other districts have sustained crop loss in varying degrees, the degree of crop loss has been marginal and less than 50% blocks have sustained crop loss in the remaining 12 districts. One of the notable aspect which needs to be noted here is that looking at the degree of vulnerability, there are 4 districts which were severely affected by the super cyclone have also suffered crop loss quite considerably and considering the fact that the people of the area are doubly disadvantaged & have suffered a trauma only recently which they have not overcome, they need to be attended on a priority basis (the districts are Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur & Cuttack).  

CONSEQUENCES OF DROUGHT

As a result of the severe drought, which has plagued the people of 28 districts out of 30 in Orissa during 2000-2001, the consequences have been very alarming and hence calls for immediate interventions of

TIMELINE OF DROUGHT IN ORISSA

TABLE INDICATING THE RAINFALL IN THE STATE FOR THE PERIOD JUNE – OCTOBER AS COMPARED TO THE NORMAL RAINFALL

DROUGHT SCENARIO IN ORISSA

INTRODUCTION

Orissa is a State marked by regular drought. In fact, there are some districts, which have been identified as the drought prone districts in Orissa. Although Orissa has faced several droughts in the past few decades, yet the drought of 2000 is probably the worst ever in the living memory of the people. The drought of 2000 assumes more significance because the people of Orissa belonging to 14 Districts had experienced unprecedented cyclone & were devastated. More than half of the people of the State got affected by the Cyclone & their life supporting system has been severely affected pushing them back to the impoverishment trap. This had led to a serious food insecurity state in Orissa. To over come the food security crisis & also to restore and rehabilitate the large number of affected people, Government of Orissa diverted all its resources in addition to utilisation of resources received from central government & international community. At such a juncture, when the rehabilitation & reconstruction work have not yet been completed, the State has been haunted by a serious drought in the State. While the drought has affected most of the districts, it has severely affected the districts of Western Orissa. The reason of the drought as expected is mainly due to the inadequate & scanty rainfall and because of no viable alternatives in place to save the crops.  In fact, the drought situation in the worst affected districts has severely affected the life & living of the people and this has led to food insecurity resulting in starvation. Finding no other alternatives large numbers of people are migrating out in search of eking out their living. This severe drought also is expected to result in large scale morbidity, mortality and may have very serious consequences like distress sale of land, prostitution & is also expected to increase the crime rate substantially. Keeping the above alarming situation in view, it is necessary & urgent to make an analysis of the magnitude of effect of the drought in all the districts of the State for identifying the districts on the basis of the degree of effect so that coping strategies to counter the adverse effects of the drought in the worst affected districts can be taken up.

This report is based on the white paper issued by Government of Orissa, data from secondary sources and also on the basis of the information figured in the media.

MAGNITUDE OF DROUGHT & DROUGHT SCENARIO

As has been discussed above, drought is the effect, which is mainly caused due to the inadequate rainfall, & the former is negatively correlated with the latter. The extent of rainfall in a region is reflected in the shape of crop yield. The better the rainfall, the higher is the crop yield & conversely lower the rainfall lower is the crop yield and greater is the crop loss as has been experienced in Orissa & elsewhere. Although drought is a common phenomenon in Orissa, yet this year this has been severe & it has affected most of the districts of Orissa and has also affected some of the cyclone affected districts where the situation is alarming followed by the trauma of super cyclone. In view of this, an attempt has been made to analyse the actual rainfall status in each of the districts against the normal rainfall on the basis of which the districts will be classified in respect of their degree of effect.  

STATUS OF RAIN FALL – A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS        

More than 50% of the agricultural land in Orissa is not provided with irrigation facility & hence depend largely on rain water. Considering the fact that crop in more than 50% of the agricultural land are rain fed, extent of rain plays a very crucial role in determining the food grain production in Orissa. The average annual rain fall in Orissa as estimated is 1482 mm and experience indicate that about 1300.8 mm rain is experienced between mid June to end of October every year. But, in the current year, that is during 2000 the State has received only 914.1 mm rain which is 70.27% of the expected rain which normally the State receives by the end of October each year. Like wise, by the end of October this year as against 87.77 percent, the State has only received 61.68% of the annual rain fall which is abysmally low.

Although the rainfall has been abnormally low this year, it has further added to the woes

of the people as during the month of July to October when the rainfall is highly required for ensuring better crop the rainfall has been 30 to 70% less than the average rainfall which has led to the severe crop loss in the State. Statistical data indicate that during the month of June, there was adequate rainfall, which was 98.8% of the total average rainfall in the State for the month, but during the subsequent months the rainfall was only 67%, 73%, 65% & 29% in the month of July, August, September & October respectively. As a matter of fact, the rains of July is of great importance for the cultivation as the crops are transplanted during the months of July & August & similarly adequate rains is also highly required during the months of September & October because it is during these two months the paddy plant flowers & the grains come out. As the rainfall was too scanty in these crucial months this year, there has been huge crop loss in the State, which is leading to drought, food insecurity & famine of worst nature having far reaching consequences.

When the rainfall data is desegregated, it is observed that there are only 8 districts, which have received more than 80 percent rainfall by the end of October whereas all the remaining 22 districts have received less than 80 percent rainfall during 2000 by October end. The rain statistics indicate that districts like Kalahandi, Nawarangpur, Koraput & Baleswar while have received more than 90 percent rainfall, there are 4 districts such as Malkangiri, Ganjam, Khurda & Nayagarh which have received 71 to 80% of the usual rainfall. Likewise, there are as many as 9 districts which have received 61 to 70% of the usual rainfall during 2000 & the districts are Sundargarh, Boudh, Rayagada, Cuttack, Angul, Jajpur, Jgatsinghpur, Bhadrak & Puri. Further, there are 5 districts experiencing 51 to 60 % of the usual rainfall (districts such as Deogarh, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Bolangir & Kendrapada) whereas Nuapada & Jharsuguda are the two districts which have received rainfall to the tune of 50% & 40% respectively of the usual rainfall by the end of October 2000.  The above analysis of data basing on the rainfall recorded up to October 2000 reveals that there are 7 districts which have received very scanty rainfall recording less than 60% of the usual rainfall and can be termed as most severely affected from the standpoint of inadequate rainfall (Jharsuguda, Nuapada, Deogarh, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Bolangir & Kendrapada) whereas there are 9 other districts which have been less adversely affected (moderately) receiving rainfall, which is more than 60% but less than 70 percent of the usual rainfall. On the other hand the remaining 14 districts although have received comparatively better rainfall than the once which are severely affected, yet they are marginally affected.

Although the above analysis gives us a picture of the districts on the basis of the rain fall received there are some blocks/places where crop loss have been countered partially due to scope of irrigation & other viable alternative countering strategies. Therefore although the districts rainfall gives us a fairly good idea of the overall situation of the inadequate rainfall in the State in different regions, the crop loss or the extent of land affected due to the crop loss can give us a more clear picture about the drought scenario in specific places (districts & blocks).

STATUS OF CROP LOSS – A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Consequent upon the erratic & scanty rainfall in most of the districts of Orissa during the year 2000, there has been a good deal of crop loss and a large extent of land has remained fallow. During the current year, due to good pre-monsoon rain & early monsoon preparations for agriculture such as land preparation, sowing of paddy seeds of short duration variety were sown in the field after the first couple of rains in the first half of June. But after giving a good start, rains stopped for about 4 weeks from the third week of June till end of 2nd week of July. This lack of rain for a spell of 4 weeks the seeds that were sown & germinated in the field died and at many other places germinated seeds which were to be sown in the field could not be sown due to lack of subsequent rains.  Thus, due to lack of rain the farmers sustained huge loss & in most of the cases they could not sow seeds in the field for the second time and huge extent of land remained fallow. In most of the places after the July 2^nd week rains were experienced, but there was sporadic rain not conducive for the cultivation of paddy. This is the reason a huge area remained fallow and most of the places where paddy & other crops were grown could not grow well as per the expectations of the farmer & gave very low yield.  As a consequence of this, the people whose main stay is agriculture in Orissa suffered in varying degrees from place to place.  

The Statistical information indicates that during the Khariff crop of 2000, a total crop area of 10.69 lakhs hectares of land were affected in varying degrees. The break up information indicates that out of the total land affected by crop loss, 3.48 Hects. belong to High Land Category whereas 5.16 Hects.  & 2.05 Hects.  Hects. of land belong to the Middle Type of Land & Low Land respectively.  The average yield per acre also went down substantially in case of the main crop - paddy in Orissa. The data reveals that while the average per hect. Yield of paddy in normal years was 20.70 Quintals, in the current year it came down to 9.62 Quintals per hectare. Like wise, while the average total yield of paddy every year in the State of Orissa is 22.64 lakhs tons, in the current year it came down to 10.51 lakhs tons. In fact, it has been estimated that there has been a total loss of 12.13 lakhs tons of crop amounting to roughly Rs. 642.89 Crores in the State during the year 2000.  Analysis of data further indicates that a total extent of 1.12,000 hectare of land remained fallow in Orissa during the Khariff crop. Out of this, 20 thousand hectares of land remained fallow in Bolangir where as 14 thousand, 11 thousand, 18 thousand, 6 thousand & 43,000 hectares of land remained fallow in the districts of Baragarh, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Jajpur and other districts respectively.  

When the degree of loss of crop is projected, it is observed that while a total area of 623.32 hectares of land will sustain less than 50% crop loss, an area of 202.40 hectares & 243.11 hectares of land will sustain crop loss in the range of 50% to 75% and more than 75% respectively.

When the district wise analysis of data is attempted to assess as to how many blocks in each district are expected to sustain crop loss indicating the extent of crop loss, it is observed that out of 314 blocks, there are167 blocks which have sustained crop loss in varying degrees. Out of the 167 affected blocks projected to sustain crop loss, statistical data indicate that there are 69 blocks where more than 50% crop loss has been estimated whereas 43 blocks & 55 blocks have been identified where crop loss has been projected to be less than 50% (but more than 25%) & less than 25% respectively.

But when the district wise analysis of anticipated crop loss is taken for analysis, it is revealed that there are 6 districts such as Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Nuapada, Boudh & Angul where all the blocks have suffered crop loss. But on the otherhand, there are 12 other districts (such as Sundargarh, Bolangir, Sonepur, Bargarh, Mayurbhanj, Phulbani, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Kendrapada & Keonjhar) where more than 50% blocks have suffered crop loss. Although all the other districts have sustained crop loss in varying degrees, the degree of crop loss has been marginal and less than 50% blocks have sustained crop loss in the remaining 12 districts. One of the notable aspect which needs to be noted here is that looking at the degree of vulnerability, there are 4 districts which were severely affected by the super cyclone have also suffered crop loss quite considerably and considering the fact that the people of the area are doubly disadvantaged & have suffered a trauma only recently which they have not overcome, they need to be attended on a priority basis (the districts are Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur & Cuttack).  

TABLE INDICATING RAINFALL STATUS IN ORISSA – MONTH WISE DURING 2000 AS COMPARED TO THE NORMAL RAIN FALL

(Status up to 31.10.2000)

RAIN FALL STATUS IN ORISSA AS ON 31.10.2000

COMPARED TO NORMAL RAINFALL

(District Wise)

Status upto 31.10.2000

CLASSIFICATION OF DISTRICTS ON THE BASIS OF THE RAIN FALL AS AGAINST THE NORMAL RAIN FALL

(Status up to 31.10.2000)

TABLE INDICATING APPROXIMATE CROP LOSS DURING THE YEAR 2000

Highlights:
Crop affected in Kahriff Season:           10.69 Lakh Hectares.
Fallow of cultivable Land/Agr. Land:     About 1 Lakh Hectare.

Due to scanty rain in the month of June, about 1 Lakh hectare agricultural land remained fallow. The break up of this:

Due to scanty rain in the month of July, August & September in about 3 Lakh Hectare of agricultural land, the…. Could not be done and there were grass grown in the agricultural field.

DISTRICT WISE BLOCKS WHERE THE AUTUMN PADDY IS AFFECTED DURING THE YEAR 2000 INDICATING THE PERCENTAGE OF DECREASE IN THE YIELD AS COMPARED TO TH NORMAL YIELD

EXTENT OF FUNDS RELEASED BY GOVERNMENT OF ORISSA OUT OF CALAMITY RELIEF FUND UNDER DROUGHT MITIGATION MEASURES TO DIFFERENT DISTRICTS DURING 2000-2001 (Status as On 28.11.2000)
(Rs. in Lakhs)

BLOCKS HAVING HIGHER LOSS OF PADDY

To The Secretary, Department of Water Resources.

I am putforthing the following allegations which are facts & happening in your department. Kindly verify & take appropriate steps or else the same things with evidence will be flashed in the media.

There is a Law Officer in the Department named Manju Panigrahi, who is a sheet of corruption & she has been collecting money from various officers whose cases are getting referred to the Law Department. With the connivance of one Additional Secretary, Mr. Swain with whom she has physical relationship all possible favours & disfavours are being done in the department. In fact, she is able to transfer people from one section to the other as & when she likes and making the employees dance & sit, as she likes. The same law officer was implicated in the MUDULI case and a number of Tender related  & other DOWR confidential papers were recovered while the house of Miss Panigrahi was raided by the CBI & Vigilance. Huge amount of foreign currency was also recovered from her house at Unit –III, Bhubaneswar. But she has been able to suppress all these things by paying heavy amount and also offering her self to many. If the same is asked to the VIGILANCE & CBI officials, the truth can come out. In fact, all papers including the charges were about to be issued by the CBI, but the lady has some how suppressed due to the fear of suspension. There are allegations that she is even making money in the department. There is a Research Assistant in the Department named Satyanand Sahoo, who poses to be very innocent but is indulged in all possible corrupt practices in connivance with N. Chandra, R.Swain & Manju Panigrahi. She is supplying women to Nitin Chandra. In one of the recent visit of Chandra to Puri, he had arranged a Lady Steno for him from EIC office & she stayed in the irrigation guest house at Puri & did what cannot be told. Secondly, whenever any tour is made, Chandra is taking Sahu and two lady officers together and Sahoo is making all arrangements for Chandra for his enjoyment (there is no need for everybody to accompany Chandra). Sahu is doing all these things & in return Chandra has assured him to promote him to the post of Research Officer. After 5.30 P.M everyday, Manju Panigrahi is coming to the room of Sahoo and staying till very late night and doing sex. It has been seen by many and can also be verified by using your own sources. One ex-M.P. who also had come with some grievance of affected persons also has witnessed it while entering in to the room.  Sahoo. R.A. is trying to mislead all the higher officials and when any body is standing in his way, he is leveling false allegations/charges against them and is able to see them off. So much so, in the past he dislodged a Deputy Secretary by leveling charges that he is corrupt & making money and also a section officer by abolishing a post and tried to act as S.O. He is publicly spreading a message that he is very close to Secretary, Additional Secretary and One MLA Dharmendra Pradhan his friend & he can get things done the way he likes. He also has spread the fact that he will bring only young clerks who will obey him to R section & will throw away those who are there. Mr. Swain, A.S. who has a very bad record of murdering a ICDS Supervisor while in W&C.D. Department is also enjoying Manju Panigrahi and once she was very averse to her and now she is pleading for her. Sahoo is working for an NGO – HDI which is headed by Braja Das & Mrs. Das who have been given a work in Rengali Dam Project for a cost of about 25 lakhs. The NGO has got work because of help of Sahoo for his pecuniary gain & Mr. Chandra as she has physical relationship with Mrs. Das even when he was collector Jgatsinghpur & had given favour in clearing the disposal of the dead animals.  

Welfare Department has written to DOWR that the post in which Manju Panigrahi is ear marked for the SC&ST and hence her selection is not valid and she be reverted back to her former post. But very tactfully she has suppressed the file at the A.S.level & is not allowing the same to come to the level of Secretary.

I request you to kindly verify the above allegations very early, confidentially & take steps for betterment of the Department.  I know of all these things working very closely with all the persons who have been referred to above & now I have resigned from my Job.

For reasons best known to me I will not give my identity, because if my identity is known the muscle gang of Manjulata & Mr. Sahoo may kill me.

TABLE INDICATING THE PADDY AREA LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED DUE TO LACK OF WATER DURING KHARIFF CROP OF 2000
(AREA IN HECTARES)

TABLE INDICATING THE EXTENT OF LAND PROJECTED TO BE AFFECTED IN VARIOUS CATEGORIES OF AGRICULTURAL LAND