New Delhi, June 09: Government said today that it has allotted 81.78 lakh metric tonnes of foodgrains, deployed about 32,000 water tankers and organised over 2400 cattle camps to meet drought situation in states including Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Of the 81.78 lakh mt of foodgrains alloted free-of-cost by department of food and public distribution, about 46.90 lakh mt have already been utilised by the drought-affected states, an official release said.

The drought situation report of the agricultural ministry has said that delayed onset of monsoon would slow down its onward movement entailing continuance of relief operations and delay in sowing of kharif crops, particularly in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

For the week ending June 6, the railways undertook free transportation of 799 wagons of water in Rajasthan and Gujarat while forty wagons of fodder were transported to Rajasthan.

Railways have also decided to increased the number of rakes for movement of foodgrains in Rajasthan during the current and the next month.
Release of wheat locally procured wheat in the Ganganagar belt is likely to improve the overall availability of foodgrains in the state during the current month, it said.

The responsibility of management of drought primarily rests with the state government and the Centre supports the relief operations through financial assistance, foodgrains and logistic support in other forms.

Bureau Report