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New Delhi : Locust Control Offices (LCOs) on May 29, 2020, conducted control operations at 10 locations in districts of Jaipur, Dausa, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Barmer, Chittorgarh, Sri Ganganagar (Rajasthan), and Niwari and Shivpuri (Madhya Pradesh). State Department of Agriculture, Madhya Pradesh, has also undertaken control operations at 5 locations located one each in districts of Satna, Balaghat, Niwari, Raisen, and Shivpuri. No crop loss is reported.
As on May 28, 2020, a total of 377 spots covering 53,997 hectares has been covered since Locust control operations started from April 11, 2020. Districts covered by locust control are: Rajasthan – 22, MP – 24, Gujarat – 2, Punjab – 1, UP – 2, and Maharashtra -3.
A Video Conference was organised on May 29, 2020, under the chairmanship of Secretary (Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare), Sanjay Agarwal, with Principal Secretary (Agriculture) of all the states and UTs. At this meeting, all the states and UTs were informed about the latest status and control of locust attack. After this VC, an advisory has been issued in respect of locust to all the states/UTs and related SOPs has been shared, according to a PIB release.
On May 27, 2020, a letter was issued by the Union Home Secretary to the Chief Secretaries of all the states/UTs giving necessary instructions to streamline the inter-state movement facility for the personnel engaged in locust control works.