By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, November 23, 2015 : Odisha Government on Monday submitted its memorandum on drought to the Centre seeking an assistance of Rs 1687 crore for drought-hit 139 blocks in 21 districts.

The State Government’s move follows the November 19 letter from the union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh to the six drought-affected states, including Odisha, asking to submit a memorandum to the Centre to avail drought relief assistance.

Singh had asked Odisha, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to apprise of the number of state-declared drought-hit districts in the respective states soon.

The union minister also sought the financial memorandum for assistance from the National Drought Relief Fund (NDRF) so that on the basis of the information, the Central teams would visit the states for the spot review.

On the basis of the assessment of the crop damage by the Central teams, the Centre will provide required assistance to these states, Singh had said.