(a)whether any assessments have been made by the Government about the losses likely to be caused to the States due to the late arrival of monsoon rains;
(b)if so, State-wise details thereof;
(c)whether the Government is considering to provide any financial assistance to overcome the losses by the States; and
(d)if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE(SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)
(a) & (b) : As per the updated forecast released by India Meteorological
Department on 24th June, 2009, rainfall during South-West monsoon season
(June-September) is likely to be below normal. Quantitatively, rainfall
for the country as a whole is likely to be 93 percent of the Long Period
Average (LPA) with a model error of (+) 4 percent. Rainfall over the
country as a whole in the month of July 2009 is likely to be 93 percent
of its LPA and that in the month of August is likely to be 101 percent of
LPA both with a model error of (+/-) 9 percent. In terms of the four broad
geographical regions of the country, rainfall for 2009 Southwest monsoon
season is likely to be 81 percent of its LPA over North-West India, 92
percent of its LPA over North-East India, 99 percent of its LPA over Central
India and 93 percent of its LPA over South Peninsula, all with a model error
of (+/-) 8 per cent. As per the IMD press release dated 3rd July, 2009, the
South-West monsoon had covered the entire country about 12 days earlier than
its normal schedule.
The impact on sowing of kharif crops in different states will depend
on the extent of deficiency in rainfall in the respective States . As on 10th
July 2009, there has been a delay in the sowing of Kharif crops like rice,
groundnut, soyabean and coarse cereals, covering inter-alia, states like
Bihar, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Orissa and Punjab.
(c) & (d) : Government is closely monitoring the situation on a day to day
basis. States have been advised to identify the pockets of distress, if any,
and take remedial measures. The Ministry also intends to increase the
allocations under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) and Rashtriya Krishi
Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and give more flexibility to States to use these schemes
to meet the contingent situations in the event of deficient rainfall,
particularly for purchase and distribution of seeds, support for
micro-irrigation etc.