33 crore people in 10 states affected due to drought: Centre tells SC

New Delhi: The Centre on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court that around 33 crore people in 256 districts of 10 states are affected due to drought.

The government said that has so far released Rs.19,555 crore (out of total amount 38,500cr allotted under MNREGA) in current financial year to drought hit states.

Hearing a PIL filed by NGO Swaraj Abhiyan, the apex court questioned the Centre as to why the figures of Gujarat are not included in the data.

On April 7, the court had taken strong exception to lack of seriousness shown by the central and drought-affected state governments despite the matter being heard for several days at stretch.