Bhubaneswar:
As many as 10,440 villages, spread over 15 of Orissa's 30 districts, were identified as drought-hit as more than 50 per cent of paddy crop were lost due to inadequate rainfall in this monsoon.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister S N Patro said on Tuesday, "The affected farmers in 10,440 villages and urban pockets will get compensation as announced by the state government earlier."
Stating that about 90 of the 314 blocks in the state received inadequate rainfall during this monsoon, the minister said collectors of different districts had submitted their report on crop loss basing on eye estimation.
While Mayurbhanj district was the worst drought-hit, Balasore had been identified as least affected district.
The farmers would get Rs 4,000 as compensation over loss of crop per hectare of irrigated land while the amount for non-irrigated land was Rs 2,000, the minister said.
Besides, the state government also announced to provide 50 per cent as subsidy on purchase of diesel for operating water pumps for irrigation purpose.
"The state government will soon submit its report with the Centre on the drought situation in Orissa," Patro said.