During the meeting, Union Cabinet Secretary KM Chandrasekhar will review the requirements of the States and the Union territories that are currently reeling under drought and will draw up an action plan to deal with the possible consequences of crop failure. Issues related to the rise in prices of essential commodities, are also likely to feature during the discussion. The spectre of drought has been looming large over crucial rice-growing States in the country following this year's deficit monsoon. Punjab, Haryana, Bihar, Western and Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, parts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have been identified as the worst-affected, while states like Assam and Manipur in the North East and Jharkhand have been declared certain districts as drought-hit.

O Nabakishore, Principal Secretary (Agriculture), government of Manipur said that apart from the chief secretary and himself, the commissioner of relief and disaster management would attend the meeting during which a presentation would be made on the prevailing drought situation in Manipur which had led to crop failure. The meeting of the Union cabinet secretary with the chief secretaries of the drought-affected States and Union territories assumes significance in light of the Indian Meteorological Department declaring a shortfall of 25 per cent in the South West monsoon rainfall as of August 5.

Although Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar had already assured all possible support to help the drought-affected States meet exigencies, the ministry has been adopting a wait-and-watch approach with August 31 as deadline.