(a) whether lack of normal rainfall has created a famine like situation in certain districts of
Jharkhand;
(b) if so, whether request has been received from the Government of Jharkhand for special
package in this regard; and
(c) if so, the action taken by the Union Government to provide assistance to the State?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE(SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)
(a) to (c): According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), during Sough-West
Monsoon 2008 (June-September), Jharkhand received 1075.1 mm of rainfall against normal
average rainfall of 1092.5 mm, with a deviation of -2%. Out of 15 meteorological districts in the
State, two districts, namely Lohardaga and West Singhbhum received deficient rainfall. The
Government of Jharkhand has so far neither reported drought situation in any part of the State on
account of deficient rainfall during South-West Monsoon 2008 nor sent any request for Central
assistance in the wake of drought. Financing of relief expenditure in the wake of natural
calamities in the country is carried out in accordance with the recommendations of Finance
Commission, from time to time. There are two schemes for providing assistance towards
immediate relief in the wake of natural calamities viz. Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) and National
Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF). CRF has been constituted for each State and is
contributed by the Government of India and State Governments concerned in the ratio of 3:1.
The State Governments are required to take necessary measures in the wake of natural calamities
out of the corpus of the CRF, in accordance with the extant items and norms. In case the natural
calamity is of a severe nature and the funds available in the State’s CRF account are not
sufficient, additional assistance is considered from the NCCF, in accordance with an established
procedure.