EGoM on drought to meet today

The first meeting of an empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on drought after 2009, when India faced the worst one in 30 years, is expected tomorrow.

The EGoM, chaired by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, will discuss the rainfall situation across the country, with particular reference to Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana.

Officials said the panel of ministers was also expected to discuss steps such as imposing stockholding limits and ban on futures trading of some commodities. The meeting might also deliberate on monitoring export of rice, sugar and wheat and imposing curbs on their outbound shipments.

The EGoM is also expected to analyse the water levels in major reservoirs in these states, the kharif crop condition, drinking water supply, availability of fodder and other key agriculture inputs. “The availability of foodgrains and how best it can be distributed in case of distress along with demand from some states for diesel and power subsidy are also expected to be discussed during the meeting,” an official said.

Food Minister K V Thomas, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Home Minister P Chidambaram and Commerce & Industry Minister Anand Sharma are part of the eGoM.