The Task Force
on Drought headed by the Deputy Prime Minister Shri L.K. Advani
at a meeting here today, approved a special package of drought
relief assistance for Rajasthan keeping in view the severity
of the situation in the state. Under the package, people in
the 74 worst affected blocks in the state will be provided relief
employment for 10 days every month and will receive 8 kg. of
food grains per day, while the people of the other blocks will
receive 6 kg. of food grains per day. The difference between
the value of food grains and the minimum wage will be paid in
cash. The food grain component of wage employment in other states
is 5 kg. per day. Under this special package, Rajasthan will
be allocated 21 lakh tonnes of Wheat free of cost from February
to July this year for the purpose of providing employment for
66 lakh persons during the peak drought months.
The Task Force
also approved allocation of 1.15 lakh tonnes of food grains
to Maharashtra for three months from February. Himachal Pradesh
will be provided with 75, 000 tonnes of Rice for the Public
Distribution System at BPL (below proverty line) rates.
Deputy Chairman
of the Planning Commission Shri K.C. Pant, Finance Minister
Shri Jaswanth Singh, Agriculture Minister Shri Ajit Singh, Consumers
Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Shri Sharad Yadav,
Cabinet Secretary, Finance, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and
Dairying, Rural Development and Drinking Water Supply secretaries
attended the task force meeting.
