Question : Steps to Tackle Drought

(a) whether the Government is aware that most of the districts of Northern India are reeling from drought;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise including Rajasthan and the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government has taken or proposes to take concrete steps to tackle the problem;
(d) if so, the details and outcome thereof; and
(e) whether the Government has fixed any target in this regard, if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken by the Government to achieve this target at the earliest?

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
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(a) & (b): As per second India Meteorological Department (IMD) Long Range Forecast, released on 01.06.2021, rainfall over the country as a whole for the 2021 South-West Monsoon Season (June to September) is likely to be NORMAL (96% to 104% of the Long Period Average). Further, as per the forecast it is is likely to be NORMAL (92 % to 108%) over North-West Region too. State-wise cumulative rainfall during 01.06.2021 to 04.08.2021 for the States/Union Territories under North-West Region is given at Annexure-I.

In the eventuality of drought and other natural calamities, the State Governments are empowered to initiate necessary relief measures from State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) which is readily available with them. Additional financial assistance, over and above SDRF, is considered from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) on receipt of Memorandum from State Governments and in accordance with extant norms and procedures.





The Government of India has released the 1st installment of its share under SDRF to the States for the financial year 2021-22, as per the details given at Annexure-II.

No State has submitted any Memorandum seeking financial assistance from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) during Kharif 2021 season.

(c) to (e): Advisories have been issued to all States/Union Territories before the onset of Monsoon 2021 season for reviewing the States’ preparedness in managing any weather related contingency for mitigating the adverse impacts of an aberrant monsoon. They have been advised to update/fine-tune the District Agriculture Contingency Plans; to tie-up the availability of seeds and other inputs for implementing the Contingency Plans; to construct water harvesting structures; to promote agronomic practices for conservation of moisture; to promote cultivation of less water consuming crops by crop diversification; to restore irrigation infrastructure; to review the progress of preparation & implementation of District Irrigation Plans/repair of hand-pumps & drinking water projects; and Establishment and activation of Drought Monitoring Centre at the State Headquarters. Progress of Monsoon and Area coverage etc. are monitored weekly through Weather Watch Group meetings as well as video conferencing, advising the States to take steps according to the prevailing situation. District Agriculture Contingency Plans for 650 districts have been prepared by Central Research Institute for Dry land Agriculture (CRIDA) to mitigate the situation in drought affected areas.