By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, November 7, 2015: Officials in Odisha will hold camps in the drought-hit panchayats and villages of the State to inform and make them aware about the package announced to face the drought.

Chief Secretary GC Pati on Saturday directed Revenue Divisional Commissioner [RDC] and district collectors to hold awareness and counseling camps in every panchyats.

In a letter, Pati asked the collectors to form teams comprising field officers of Revenue, Agriculture, Cooperation and Water Resources departments. The team along with Tehsildar and Block Development Officer [BDO] will visit 10 camps in the drought-hit areas every day and submit a report to the Collector, the letter said.

Besides, the team will apprise farmers about the government’s packages and other benefits. They will keep a tab on local money lenders and report about cases of torture due to non-repayment of loans to the police, the letter added.

The Chief Secretary also directed the officials to take steps to set up agri clubs in the drought-affected areas to maintain coordination between farmers and administration.

Pati also asked the collectors to give report about farmer suicide within 24 hours of the death to Home and Agriculture departments.