M A I N   N E W S

Many states yet to name drought-hit areas
Sarbjit Dhaliwal
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 29
Though various states are making a lot of hue and cry over drought in their respective areas, they have not officially declared their states as drought-hit. In fact, no state government has offered any substantial help to drought-affected farmers.

Among the worst-hit in northern India are Haryana, Punjab, UP, Rajasthan, a part of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal. But none of these states, except UP, has declared any part as drought-hit.

“At least we have not received any report declaring any part or district as drought-hit from the governments of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal, J and K etc”, said a senior functionary of the Union Agriculture Ministry, who has been assigned the task of monitoring drought. He told this correspondent on the phone that only three states — UP, Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand — have declared certain areas, as drought-hit.

He said as per the guidelines, drought could be declared in the areas where over 50 per cent crop had perished because of the non-availability of water. “If any of these states has not declared drought in their areas, it means that the damage to crop was below 50 per cent yet. In fact, no government has sent a proper assessment of damage to the Union Government. There are only vague estimates”, he added.

It appears that the states not have adequate funds at their disposal to help farmers. If they declare any part of their states as drought-hit, they would also have to postpone the recovery of various loans and to extend financial help as per guidelines to the farmers concerned for which a lot of funds are required. That is preventing them from declaring their areas as drought-hit.

“It is a fact that Punjab and Haryana are among the worst-hit states. But Punjab has a good network of irrigation which would help it save crops though they would get no return because the overhead cost to save the crops would be more than the returns from the crop”, he added. Haryana has a vast tract where even facilities for irrigation were not available. However, in the paddy belt, it has a good network of irrigation to protect the crops”.

“Anyhow, the ministry has got the feedback that the damage to crops till date is in the range of 20 to 30 per cent. But if the dry spell continues for a few more days, the loss would cross 50 per cent. The states concerned, if want any help from the Union Government, should first declare their areas as drought-hit. In fact, states have calamity funds in crores at their disposal and they can utilise the funds to help the affected farmers. For instance, Punjab has about Rs 236 crore in its calamity fund kitty”.

“In fact, we are concerned about the farming community in Rajasthan where fodder in any form was not available and livestock has started perishing. The Union Government would make a request to farmers in Punjab and Haryana not to burn paddy residue after harvesting the crop as it can be used as fodder to feed the livestock in Rajasthan”, said the Union Government official. The Centre is expected to make an official request to the Punjab Government in this connection soon. “It is easier to transport paddy residue as fodder to Rajasthan from Punjab and Haryana than dry wheat fodder which is more fluffy and very difficult to transport”, he added. Both Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are facing a major problem of fodder. In the absence of rain, there is no growth of grass, so necessary for livestock in these states.

Emergency meeting

The Punjab Government has called an emergency meeting of all District Chief Agriculture Officers to have first-hand information. The state government has sought an aid of Rs 700 crore for drought-hit farmers, besides a special package of Rs 100 crore to help the other sections of society. After the meeting, the state is expected to declare certain areas as drought-hit.