SAMBALPUR: The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has sought to ascertain the cause behind damage to paddy saplings after transplantation in Hirakud Command Area covering 1,08,385 hectares (ha) in rabi season, spread over the districts of Sambalpur, Bargarh, Sonepur and Balangir.Earlier on January 19, the former MP of Sambalpur Bhabani Hota had raised the issue at a media conference.He had stated that as per a study of the Sambalpur University in the 90s, there was massive release of toxic effluents into the Hirakud dam reservoir (HDR) from industries upstream. The effluents had high content of lead and mercury and these found their way into the agricultural fields through water discharged in the canal system. “The water from the HDR was the reason for premature death of paddy saplings,” he had said.Hota had demanded that plant scientists from Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, be asked to visit the affected areas and inquire. But with no action coming forth, social activists Rajesh Agrawal moved the OHRC over the issue.In his petition, Rajesh urged the OHRC to direct the State Government to ascertain the cause behind damage to paddy saplings. He said the issue was mired in controversy with some attributing the reason to the inclement weather and some others to fungal infection.Under these circumstances, the OHRC issued notice dated February 8 to the Superintending Engineer, Hirakud Dam Circle, Burla, to get inquiry into the allegation and submit a report to the OHRC in four weeks from the receipt of the order.
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