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4th
August , 2002
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Prime
Minister Office |
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PM CONSTITUTES TASK FORCE TO TACKLE MONSOON FAILURE
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.
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