Question : DROUGHT RELIEF

(a) whether it is a fact that the Ministry of Agriculture works to co- ordinate the necessary relief measures from the drought, hailstorms and worm-attacks;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government to coordinate the necessary relief measures during the last year and current year, Statewise;

(c) whether it is a fact that the assistance in the form of relief work is provided with much delay; and

(d) if so, the reaction of the Government thereon and the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI MOHANBHAI KUNDARIA)

(a) & (b): Drought Management Division, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation (DAC) is concerned with coordination of relief measures necessitated by drought, hailstorm, pest attack, cold wave/frost. In the event of any or more of the listed natural calamities taking place in the State(s), fund is readily available with the State Governments under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). As per the recommendation of the 13th Finance Commission, the contribution of SDRF between the Centre and the State concerned is in the ratio of 3:1 for 18 General Category States and 9:1 for 11 Special Category States. Additional financial assistance, over and above SDRF is considered from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for natural calamities of severe nature and is approved on basis of Memorandum of State Government in accordance with established procedure keeping in view items and norms in vogue for assistance. The amount approved from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) during the year of 2013-14 & 2014-15 is at Annexed.

(c) & (d): Government makes all efforts to ensure that assistance is sanctioned in minimum possible time. Government has taken several measures to address any situation arising due to deficiency in rainfall. Central Research Institute of Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), in collaboration with State Agricultural Universities has prepared contingency plans for 580 districts for implementing location specific interventions to sustain agriculture production in the eventuality of any extreme climatic events.

States have been advised to ensure availability of short duration and drought tolerant varieties of seeds so as to be in a position to supply them to farmers in case such a need arises. States have also been advised to keep asides 10% of funds available under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and other schemes for undertaking appropriate interventions to mitigate and situation arising out of deficient rainfall, at a short notice.