Question : Drought Relief

(a) whether frequent deficient rainfall has been causing severe drought in various States of the country including Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra during the last three years and the current year and, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has sent any Central team to visit the drought affected States to assess the losses and if so, the details thereof alongwith the outcome thereof;

(c) whether the Government has received representations from various States seeking financial assistance to tackle the drought situation and if so, the details thereof alongwith the action taken by the Government thereon;

(d) the details of the amount released/to be released by the Government to various States under the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) during the aforesaid period, State and year-wise; and

(e) the status of utilization of funds released to the States during the aforesaid period and the number of families benefited therefrom, State and year-wise?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

‡ãðŠãäÓã ??? ????? ?????? ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã ½ãñâ À㕾㠽ãâ¨ããè ( SHRI S.S. AHLUWALIA)

(a) to (d): Yes, Madam. A number of States were affected by drought of varying magnitude during the years 2013-14 to 2016-17. Memoranda received from the drought affected States for assistance from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) were considered in accordance with the established procedure and a statement indicating State-wise details assistance sought by the respective State and assistance approved by the Government of India from NDRF are indicated in the statement annexed.



Contd…2/-





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In response to the Memoranda received from the States for assistance from NDRF, Inter-Ministerial Central Teams were deputed to the affected State for assessment of the drought situation and requirement of financial assistance, wherever necessary.

(e): The State Government is primarily responsible for taking necessary relief measures in the wake of natural calamities including drought. For undertaking relief measures, funds are available with State Government in the form of State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Additional financial assistance, over and above SDRF, is considered from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for natural calamities of sever nature and is approved on the basis of Memorandum received from State Government, in accordance with established procedure. The State Governments are to take utmost care and ensure that all individual beneficiary-oriented assistance from SDRF/NDRF is necessarily/mandatorily disbursed through the bank account (viz Jan Dhan Yojana etc.) of the beneficiary.