Centre is ready to tackle drought: PM

Panel to decide on quantum of relief to be allocated

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tried to stem the panic resulting from below normal rain, mainly in northwestern states. He told the Lok Sabha that the government would make all efforts to provide relief in case of a drought.

He also said the revision of norms relating to assistance to the states deserved to be considered in the light of prolonged calamities.

A committee consisting of representatives of the ministries concerned and the relief commissioners of Andhra Pradesh and Orissa had been constituted.

The agriculture secretary is the chairperson of the committee. The committee shall submit its recommendations to a high-level committee shortly, he said. "If the committee recommends higher allocation, this would be considered positively," he added.

Singh said 16 of the 36 meteorological sub-divisions in the country had received deficient or scanty rainfall so far. He assured the House that the "government shall spare no efforts in providing all possible assistance to people in the eventuality of a drought".

The Telangana and Rayalaseema regions of Andhra Pradesh, Vidharbha in Maharashtra, western Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, western Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand had received rains that were 25-51 per cent below normal, he said.

He said the ministry of agriculture was keeping a close watch on the situation, adding officers had reviewed drought relief preparedness in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab.

"Cumulative rainfall between June 1 and July 14 has been 264 mm compared to the normal of 291.8 mm. This means a deviation of 10 per cent below normal," he said.

Elaborating on the drought situation, he said the crop sowing season in affected states extended up to the end of July with delayed rainfall. The precise extent of unsown area could only be assessed after the end of July, Singh said.

"Therefore, assessment for employment generation under the drought relief measures would be considered after the end of July," he said.

He added that all state governments have drawn up their plans to ensure drinking water supply in areas affected by deficient or scanty rain in the eventuality of shortage of water.

Traders expect the scanty rains to hit the oilseed, rice and other winter crops this year, but add that while output of major crops had already been hit, immediate rains could stem the damage to some extent.

After reviewing the situation with the ministers and secretaries concerned on July 9, the Prime Minister said the cabinet secretary has been asked to review the situation on a weekly basis.