The government today said the production of rice will not be badly affected due to drought-like situation resulting from deficient monsoon in some parts of the country. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in New Delhi, Minister of State for Agriculture, Harish Rawat said ,however, the over all foodgrain output in the current crop year is likely to remain better compared to the crop year 2009-10.Replying to a query, Mr Rawat said the government has sent expert teams to Rajasthan and Karnataka to assses the gravity of drought-hit districts in the two states, which have already submitted memoranda to the Agriculture ministry on the impact of deficent monsoon. He expressed the hope that the states like Punjab, Haryana and Maharashtra will also submit similar memoranda to the Centre so that immediate remedial measures could be taken to address drought in these states. He assured the government will act swiftly on the reports by the teams and provide every possible assistance to these states. The minister informed that the Centre is providing knowledge inputs and technical assistance to the affected states through the contingency plan alreadly announced for drought-hit districts.