Question : DROUGHT ASSISTANCE .

(a) whether the monsoon has picked up in certain States and are likely to cover the entire country by the end of July, 2014;

(b) if so, the present status of the monsoon;

(c) whether the Government has deputed central team to assess the drought situation in various States in the country;

(d) if so, the findings of the central team;

(e) the drought assistance sought and given to those States/UTs during the current year; and

(f) the remedial steps taken by the Government to provide relief to the affected farmers?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

(a): As per information made available by India Meteorological Department (IMD), South West Monsoon has covered the entire country on 17.07.2014.

(b): Cumulative rainfall till 31.07.2014 was 353.2 mm which is 22% less than normal or Long Period Average (LPA) of 452.4 mm. Meteorological Sub Division wise rainfall status is annexed.

(c) to (f): State Governments are empowered to initiate appropriate relief measures to affected farmers in the wake of drought from funds readily available with them under State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). An Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) is deputed for making on the spot assessment of drought situation upon receipt of a detailed memorandum from the State Governments indicating sector-wise damages caused due to drought and requirement of addition central assistance.

Additional assistance, over and above SDRF, is considered from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) on the basis of report of Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) in accordance with established procedure and extant norms.

During current year (2014-15), Government of India has not received any drought relief memorandum from any State, so far.