New Delhi, July 20: With the threat of drought looming large over parts of the country despite some rain in the past few days, food secretaries of 11 states met in New Delhi to discuss measures to meet the situation.
"A contingency plan is already in place and with some states declaring part of their regions as drought-affected," official sources said. On the agenda was discussion on welfare schemes that need to be mobilised immediately due to a delay in the monsoon. The secretaries will also take stock of the food grain situation.

A decision was taken for each state to draft a contingency plan and submit it to their respective governments. A proposal to increase ration quota from 35kg to 50 kg was also mooted. Secretaries of Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, UP, Haryana etc participated in the meet convened by the Centre. There will be more meetings held to keep tag on follow up action.

Bureau Report