Drought situation will affect economy: Pranab

The  monsoons have picked up this week, but it's probably too little too late. On Friday, the Union and state governments held a meeting to work out a  drought action plan.

"Drought not only affects the production of crops but it has a cascading effect and they are already posing some serious concerns," said Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said.

This meet of state agriculture ministers to tackle drought ironically took place on a day when it poured in Delhi. But despite good rains in many parts of the country this week, the drought situation is still grim.

And that's why the Centre and the states have jointly drawn up a list of things-to-do.

From importing pulses and sugar, to check rising prices, to spending more money on building shallow tubewellls for farmers, the government is ready with a plan.

But the focus is clearly on the next sowing season as the current one, the Kharif, is nearly over.

"I anticipate early and higher coverage of Rabi crops this year. There is a need to take up intensive campaign in the eastern region for ensuring that the farms are able to sow the wheat in time by November 15," Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said.

Blamed by the state governments for not doing enough, the Centre reminded the states that they too need to be proactive.

"Control rooms should be activated at the state capital and district levels, and it should be ensured that these control rooms are in regular touch with our control room in the ministry here," Pawar said.

In the past 48 hours, the government has held a series of meetings, first with the state Food and Civil Supplies Minister and now with the Agriculture Minister. These meetings won't help revive the current sowing season, but it will certainly help the next one.

Tags: Delhi, drought, monsoon

• Also See