A Central team is likely to visit the state in the first week of January to assess the impact of drought. They will tour different areas declared as drought affected by the Orissa government, sources said.
The government has already declared 3264 villages in 750 Gram panchayats spread over 70 blocks and 15 districts as drought affected following the report of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC).
The Orissa government has sought Rs 843.96 crore from the National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF) to tackle the drought like situation in 15 districts. This includes Rs 118.12 crore for gratuitous relief, Rs 44.55 crore for animal feed and provision of drinking water, Rs 150 crore towards agriculture subsidy and Rs 342 crore for payment of compensation to the farmers for crop loss. Meanwhile, the farmers in the affected districts are being provided compensation as per the norms of Calamity Relief Fund.
