PM CONSTITUTES TASK FORCE TO TACKLE MONSOON FAILURE

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Rainfall during this Monsoon has been deficient in several States. So far, Governments of 12 States have declared either a part or the whole of the State as drought affected. The Prime Minister has constituted a Task Force headed by the Deputy Prime Minister to tackle the problems arising out of monsoon failure. This Task Force will meet as frequently as necessary and keep the Prime Minister apprised of the action taken. So far, the following decisions have been taken:

• Since the full impact of monsoon deficiency will be known by 15 August, the Government will take all necessary steps to provide quick relief for the initial two-month period of August and September, 2002.
• Under Calamity Relief Fund (CRF), an amount of Rs. 483.56 crores has already been released. A further amount of Rs. 714.20 crores, towards second instalment, would also be released now to these 12 States, though it would not be due in the normal course.
• For meeting drinking water scarcity, an amount of Rs. 538 crores has already been released to these States under Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP). The States are required to provide equal matching share for it. Of this, an amount of Rs. 53.80 crores, including the State share can be used for repair/renovation of existing drinking water resources. Further, an amount of Rs. 111.75 crores is set apart under the Scheme for meeting natural calamities and emergent situations. Here too, State Governments have to provide matching contributions. This can then be used for new hand pumps or for their repair. State Governments have also been asked to channelise the ARWSP funds to the affected districts on priority. The State Governments have been permitted to meet the expenditure on transport of drinking water from CRF.
• For tackling the problem of loss of employment in rural areas, the Ministry of Rural Development has already released the first instalment of Sampoorna Gramin Rozgar Yojana (SGRY) to the States. Together with the available unspent balance at the beginning of the financial year, a substantial amount of cash and foodgrains is already available with the State Governments. Where even this is found to be inadequate, the Ministry of Rural Development will release the second instalment of cash and foodgrains under SGRY by relaxing conditions. In those States, where only a part of the State is affected by monsoon failure, the State Governments will be permitted to divert SGRY resources from other districts.
• For meeting the scarcity of fodder, the cost of transportation of fodder would me met from Calamity Relief Fund.
• On the issue of debt relief for farmers, RBI will ask the Banks to follow instructions regarding rescheduling of crop loans. Similar instructions will also be issued by NABARD for RRBs and Cooperative Banks.
• Subsidy for agricultural inputs will be provided for small and marginal farmers under CRF.