Monsoon covers entire India situation grim in K'taka, Maha

Monsoon rains have covered the entire country though it is still deficient by 23 per cent and the situation in Karnataka and Maharashtra is worrisome, the Government said on Wednesday.

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar held a meeting here with India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General L S Rathore and Food Minister K V Thomas to review the monsoon situation.

Briefing reporters, Rathore said: "Rainfall situation has improved but it is still minus 23 per cent. Monsoon is covering entire country on Wednesday with parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan receiving heavy rains".

Later, Pawar said the situation had improved during the last ten days but there was still a shortfall.

"For the country as a whole, the rainfall situation is definitely improving vis-a-vis 10 days back. But the worrisome areas are Karnataka and central Maharashtra," the Minister said.

The two states have received scanty rains so far and the situation has not improved to the satisfactory level, he said.

Pawar pointed out that "there is a cause of concern about coarse cereals (bajra, jowar and maize) production and drinking water supply in these two states".

Overall, Pawar noted there is no cause for concern over paddy, cotton, sugarcane and oilseed as sowing operations are expected to pick up.