Sugar, pulses areas of concern as Indian districts hit by drought
Wednesday, 2 September 2009
NEW DELHI, Sept 1 (PTI): The Indian government yesterday said that prices of sugar and pulses are "major areas of concern", while declaring that 278 districts in 11 states are hit by drought.
While exuding confidence that spiralling prices of food commodities would be checked with measures taken to augment supplies, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) noted that state governments have already been asked to enforce stock limits and carry out de-hoarding operations.
"The CCEA today reviewed prices of essential commodities. It was noted that the major areas of concern are prices of pulses and sugar," an official statement said.
Sugar prices have doubled to Rs 35 a kg in the last one year, while rates of pulses have risen by up to 50 per cent in the last four months.
On drought, the Committee observed that 278 districts across 11 states are witnessing drought or drought-like situation, even as rainfall deficiency has declined to 24 per cent as on August 27 from 26 per cent a week before.
However, no specific decision was taken at on Monday's meeting, but sources said some major decisions are expected at the meeting of Empowered Group of Ministers on drought and price rise on Tuesday.
The CCEA recognised need for every government agency to focus attention on mitigating drought, maximising output from standing crops and advance planning for rabi season to compensate for the losses in kharif.
As part of strategy for monitoring of drought situation, weekly meeting of Inter-ministerial group will be held, CCEA noted.
The Committee highlighted actions taken by other ministries to tackle the drought situation, including alert to the Railways for carrying drinking water and fodder.
The Department of Drinking Water Supply has made available sufficient funds to the states, the meeting noted.
Also, the Rural Development Department has made provisions for availability of adequate funds under National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) for alternate employment opportunities and under Integrated Watershed Development Programme for taking up activities to retain moisture for agriculture.
The CCEA noted that every government agency should focus on providing power, diesel to save standing kharif crops, shifting to alternative less water intensive crops, trying for area and productivity gains in Rabi through area specific programmes and making available seeds, other farm inputs.
The meeting also noted that flexibility has been given to states to utilise Central Scheme funds for catching up with late kharif crops and issuing of periodical advisory by the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
While exuding confidence that spiralling prices of food commodities would be checked with measures taken to augment supplies, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) noted that state governments have already been asked to enforce stock limits and carry out de-hoarding operations.
"The CCEA today reviewed prices of essential commodities. It was noted that the major areas of concern are prices of pulses and sugar," an official statement said.
Sugar prices have doubled to Rs 35 a kg in the last one year, while rates of pulses have risen by up to 50 per cent in the last four months.
On drought, the Committee observed that 278 districts across 11 states are witnessing drought or drought-like situation, even as rainfall deficiency has declined to 24 per cent as on August 27 from 26 per cent a week before.
However, no specific decision was taken at on Monday's meeting, but sources said some major decisions are expected at the meeting of Empowered Group of Ministers on drought and price rise on Tuesday.
The CCEA recognised need for every government agency to focus attention on mitigating drought, maximising output from standing crops and advance planning for rabi season to compensate for the losses in kharif.
As part of strategy for monitoring of drought situation, weekly meeting of Inter-ministerial group will be held, CCEA noted.
The Committee highlighted actions taken by other ministries to tackle the drought situation, including alert to the Railways for carrying drinking water and fodder.
The Department of Drinking Water Supply has made available sufficient funds to the states, the meeting noted.
Also, the Rural Development Department has made provisions for availability of adequate funds under National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) for alternate employment opportunities and under Integrated Watershed Development Programme for taking up activities to retain moisture for agriculture.
The CCEA noted that every government agency should focus on providing power, diesel to save standing kharif crops, shifting to alternative less water intensive crops, trying for area and productivity gains in Rabi through area specific programmes and making available seeds, other farm inputs.
The meeting also noted that flexibility has been given to states to utilise Central Scheme funds for catching up with late kharif crops and issuing of periodical advisory by the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).