Prime Minister of India - Dr. Manmohan Singh

Prime Minister's statement in Lok Sabha on drought situation in Maharashtra

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has made the following statement in the Lok Sabha today on the drought situation in Maharashtra:

"In response to the issue raised by the Hon'ble Members on the drought situation in Maharashtra, I had given an assurance that I will make a statement after studying the issue.

As far as Maharashtra is concerned, in 2003-04, the Government of Maharashtra had declared 71 taluks in 11 districts covering 28 per cent of the State, as drought affected. In accordance with established practice, assistance was considered and the State was found eligible for Rs.119.92 crore subject to adjustment of balances in the Calamity Relief Fund of the State. After such adjustment, made by the nodal Home Ministry, Rs.77.46 crore was released from National Calamity Contingency Fund and 4 lakh tonnes of foodgrains valued at Rs.400 crore was also allocated to Maharashtra.

A Central team visited Maharashtra during April 2-5, 2004 to assess further assistance required by the State Government. Based on its report, the State Government was found eligible for Rs.201.16 crore subject to adjustment of balances in the Calamity Relief Fund. After adjustment to the Calamity Relief Fund, Rs.165.33 crore from National Calamity Contingency Fund was released to the State on June 3, 2004. Further, 3 lakh tonnes of foodgrains amounting to around Rs.300 crore were also released to the State on June 2, 2004. The decision to sanction this amount was taken during the meeting of a Ministerial delegation from Maharashtra led by the Chief Minister, with me, on May 28, 2004. The total assistance given to the State for the drought of 2003-04 is Rs.208.14 crore towards Central share of Calamity Relief Fund, Rs.242.79 crore from the National Calamity Contingency Fund and 7 lakh tonnes of foodgrains amounting to Rs.700 crore.

Subsequently, the State Government submitted yet another memorandum seeking additional assistance of Rs.914.97 crore based on relaxation of norms. This memorandum was considered by the High Level Committee on July 14, 2004 for sanction from National Calamity Contingency Fund. It has been decided that the issue of revising norms of assistance in the event of particularly prolonged calamities deserves to be considered for general application. A Committee consisting of representatives of Ministries concerned and Relief Commissioners of Andhra Pradesh and Orissa has been constituted for the purpose, with Agriculture Secretary as its Chairperson. The Committee shall submit its recommendations to the High Level Committee shortly. If the Committee recommends higher allocations, this would be considered positively.

As far as the status of monsoon in the current year is concerned, the cumulative rainfall during June 1-July 14, 2004, has been 264 mm compared to the normal of 291.8 mm. This means a deviation of 10 per cent below normal. Out of the 36 meteorological subdivisions, 20 have received normal/excess rainfall, whereas in 16 subdivisions, the cumulative rainfall has been deficient/scanty.

Telengana and Rayalaseema regions of Andhra Pradesh, Vidharbha in Maharashtra, Western Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Western Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand had so far rain deficiency ranging from 25 per cent to 51 per cent against the normal rain.

Ministry of Agriculture is keeping a close watch on the situation. Area Officers of the Ministry of Agriculture incharge of Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab were instructed to visit these States and to assess the ground level situation and discuss with State Governments concerned on the preparation of contingency crop plan and its logistical details. The officers have also reviewed drought relief preparedness planning in these States.

The crop sowing season in all these States extends upto the end of July with delayed rainfall. The precise extent of unsown area can only be assessed after the end of July. Therefore, assessment for employment generation under the drought relief measures will be considered after the end of July. All State Governments have drawn up their plans to ensure drinking water supply in the areas affected by deficient/scanty rain in the eventuality of shortage of water.

I have also personally reviewed the situation with the Ministers and Secretaries concerned on July 9, 2004 after which I asked the Cabinet Secretary to review the situation on a weekly basis. The first monitoring meeting was taken by the Cabinet Secretary on July 13, 2004 and it was decided to increase stocks of foodgrains in areas deficient in rainfall. I would like to assure the Members that the Government shall spare no efforts in providing all possible assistance to people in the eventuality of a drought."