Prime Minister acknowledges weak monsoon, rolls out damage control plan

24 July, 2012

It is not a only a farmer or any other commoner who is saying that clouds are not raining this year, but now the government has also accepted it formally. The cumulative rainfall for the period from 01.06.2012 to 15.07.2012 is 22% less than the Long Period Area (LPA).

THE PRIME Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, while sensing a drought-like situation in some parts of the country, has directed his ministers and various government departments to coordinate efforts to minimize fallout of a deficient monsoon in parts of the country.

The government said in statement on Prime Minister's official website that the progress of the Monsoon so far has not allayed earlier concerns. The rainfall deficiency that existed at the end of June has lessened somewhat, but the intensity and spread of rainfall over the next week or so needs to be watched carefully, especially in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan.

The government has said that the central government will work with state governments to meet any eventuality and monitor the monsoon situation on weekly basis. The agriculture department has prepared contingency plans, which have been shared with those states that are receiving low rainfall.

It has been decided that seeds, fodder, power and drinking water would be made available to rain deficient areas on priority basis to overcome hardships.

Power availability for agricultural purposes will be ensured so that yield of rice is not adversely affected. Unallocated power of approximately 300 MW each is being made available to Punjab, Haryana and UP by the Ministry of Power.

This represents about 75% of the total unallocated power available for the Northern Region. In addition, Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has been asked to ensure availability of diesel in the States, especially in North West India.