DACCA: An emergency agricultural rehabilitation programme involving Rs2.55 crore has been taken in hand in … select areas in the ravaged coastal districts, a spokesman of the East Pakistan Government told [agency] here today [Dec 4].

The spokesman said that the programme, to be financed by the Government as a grant, is intended to take full advantage of the winter cropping season with the provision of maximum possible assistance to the farmers who find themselves psychologically shattered and economically handicapped.

The spokesman said that though the area devastated comprises some eleven lakh acres, the initial effort is concentrated over … 1.75 lakh acres where immediate cultivation is found feasible taking into consideration the cropping pattern. In the regular phase of rehabilitation … the Department of Agriculture plans to initiate intensive agricultural activities over an area of six to seven lakhs.

The spokesman said that while emergency relief continues to be rushed to the cyclone devastated islands and coastal areas, by land, air and sea, the Government is simultaneously taking steps to help the affected people in the resumption of normal life and activities.

Published in Dawn, December 4th, 2020