Govt allays apprehension about drought-like situation

With monsoon picking up momentum, government today allayed apprehensions about deficit in rainfall, saying things are looking a "little more optimistic" and a drought-like situtation is unlikely.
"...I think the situation is a little more optimistic than it was 15-30 days ago. And therefore we need not at this moment assume there is going to be a drought-like situation," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said in Rajya Sabha.
He was replying to a debate on Finance Bill during which members expressed concern that the country could be headed for a drought-like situation because of rainfall deficit.
At the same time, he said if crops have been affected in some parts due to less rainfall "back up plans are immediately put into action".

"The monsoon has picked up relatively and in case there is some area where agriculture crops have been affected because of inadequate rainfall, the government has several guidelines how to deal with those situations.
"Those back up plans are immediately put into action. Therefore, irrespective of whatever amount is required for those purposes will be executed," the Minister added.
Monsoon was deficient in June but has picked up in July. The deficiency of monsoon in the first six weeks was 43 per cent which has now gone down to 32 per cent.