Concerned Sharad Pawar asks states to tackle drought-like situation

Pune, July 29 (ANI): Expressing his concern over the delayed monsoon and dearth of rainfall at several places across India, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Sunday asked the state governments to take effective steps to tackle possible drought-like situation.

He said this while addressing a function to mark the release of a book here.

"Our country has received 36-42 percent less rainfall this year. You might have seen that Punjab, which is 'Granary of India', has received 78 percent rainfall. Although, the situation is grim, there was minimal effect on its agriculture because of sufficient underground water for irrigation. We have to provide only power supply to them along with subsidies on fertilisers," Pawar said.

He added that huge quantities of food grains were lying waste in many parts of the country while the concerned departments have taken no remedial measures and stringent actions.

"Earlier, inadequate water supply was not a big question but the main questions were the availability of wheat and food grains. Nobody is concerned about the storage of food grains (that are lying waste in silos and godowns). But for the time being, we can leave the issues related to availability of food grains, and we should start giving serious thoughts on more important issues like food and fodder and rainfall," Pawar added.

Further Pawar noted that six major states of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana have caused major anxiety.

"I would discuss the matter with the cabinet ministers of Maharashtra on August 01, with Chief Minister of Karnataka on August 02 and Chief Ministers of Gujarat and Rajasthan states on August 03. Then with the views of these ministers, I would consult chief ministers of Punjab and Haryana and other centrally ruled states and after that we shall arrive at a conclusion that how these problematic issues could be solved," Pawar said. (ANI)