Union Govt Seeks Memorandum From States For Providing Drought Assistance

19 November, New Delhi

In view of sustained dry spell during the last Kharif season, as also in the early Rabi period in some parts of the country, the Centre has asked the affected states to submit a memorandum for drought assistance immediately.

In a communication to the state governments of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has urged the states to intimate immediately the number of drought affected districts in their states and whether drought has been declared in these areas or not.

States have also been asked to submit financial memorandum for assistance from National Drought Relief Fund (NDRF), an official from the Ministry of Agriculture said today. On the receipt of this information, Central team will visit states to take stock of the situation and assess the assistance required.

So far, memorandum for assistance for drought relief has been received from Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Central teams have visited three states and is currently on tour of Maharashtra for assessing quantum of assistance required by the states.