No.30-4/2003-D.M.(CR)

Government of India

Ministry of Agriculture

Department of Agriculture & Cooperation

****

Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi

dated the 6^th June, 2003.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Drought situation report for the week ending 6^th June, 2003.

          The undersigned is directed to send herewith drought situation report for the week ending 6^th June, 2003 for information and record. 

( S.V. Patil )

Under Secretary to the Government of India

Ph.No.23389453, 23383476

e-mail agrindia@krishi.nic.in

To

1.          Secretary, Ministry / Department

Home, Finance, Expenditure, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Food & Public Distribution, Rural Development, Drinking Water Supply, Water Resources, Planning Commission.

2.          OSD to Deputy Prime Minister

3.       Cabinet Secretariat (Shri A.K. Dubey, Joint Secretary), Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi with 4 copies.

4.          PS to Deputy Prime Minister.

5.          PS to Agriculture Minister.

6.       PS to Finance Minister/ Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Minister/ Rural Development Minister.

7.          PS to Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission.

8.       Prime Minister’s Office (Smt. Pushpa Subrahmanyam, Director, Prime Minister’s Office).

9.       Sr. PPS to Secretary(A&C)/PPS to Additional Secretary(SB)/ PPS to JS(DM).

10.          Director(PR), PIB, Shastri Bhawan , New Delhi.

11.          DS(DM)/US(J)/US(P)/Guard file.

DROUGHT SITUATION  REPORT – 6^th June, 2003

Rainfall:             There is delay in the onset of south-west monsoon.  As against the normal date of 1^st June at Kerala and in north-east, the onset in the north-east was on 4^th June, 2003 while in Kerala it is likely to be around 8^th June, 2003.  India Meteorological Department, has, however reported that the delay onset of monsoon should not affect its overall performance.  Delayed monsoon will, however, 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.

Crop position:        Sowing of coarse cereal has commenced – it is too early to compare current estimates vis-à-vis last year’s figures.  Sowing of sugarcane is continuing satisfactorily – the coverage this year is 35.3 lakh hectares for the country as a whole compared to 34.9 lakh hectares for the corresponding period last year – sowing in Tamil Nadu is, however, lagging behind by about 0.5 lakh hectares.  Sowing of cotton at 3.6 lakh hectares is also 0.40 lakh hectares less than last year.

Summary of Relief Operations:          The broad parameters of relief operations reported by the States as on 6.6.03 may be summarized as under:-

legend:          =        Same as  last week

                >        More than last week

                <        Less than last week

Contd…2

: 2 :

Transport of water & fodder by Rail :

Continued to operate in Rajasthan and Gujarat.  Transport of fodder only in Andhra Pradesh.  The position for the week may be summarized as under:-

State                      Water (No. of wagons)               Fodder(No. of wagons)

                             This week   Last week          This week    Last week

_______________          ________          _________          _________    ________

Rajasthan                589               690                                  40                08

Gujarat                    210               210                                  0                  40

                       ____            ____                    ______        ____

Total:                      799              900                                    40                 48

While the numbers of wagons deployed in Rajasthan are less than last week, the cumulative quantity of water transported remained the same with the rakes making more trips due to deployment of “dedicated engines”.  In Gujarat, there was no transportation of fodder as the State Government has built up sufficient stocks and has, therefore, not brought fresh supplies at the loading point, Broach. 

Movement of foodgrains:

          Upto 31^st June, 2003, the planned and actual movement of foodgrains in the drought affected States was as under:-

State            Planned for May, 2003                      Movement upto 31^st May, 2003                       ( in lakh MT)                                               ( in lakh MT )

                  ___________________               ________________________

Andhra Pradesh                   2.25                                           1.91

Chhatisgasrh                      0.10                                           0.12

Gujarat                              0.45                                           0.47

Karnataka                          2.40                                           2.38

Madhya Pradesh                   2.30                                           2.21

Maharashtra                       2.15                                           1.93

Orissa                               0.60                                           0.47

Rajasthan                          5.70                                           5.10

Tamil Nadu                         2.50                                           2.21

_________                         ____                                          ____

Total:                             18.45                                         16.80

_________                        _____                                        _____

          There was a shortfall of 8% in movement vis-à-vis the target fixed for May, 2003.   In a meeting held on 29^th May 2003 in the Cabinet Secretariat, Railway Board agreed to increase the number of rakes for Rajasthan during the months of June & July.   Release of wheat locally procured in Rajasthan (in the Ganganagar belt) is also likely to improve the overall availability in Rajasthan during June 2003.

Contd…3

: 3 :

Other developments:

i)          Agriculture Secretary went around some relief work sites in Rangareddy districts in Andhra Pradesh while the Drought Relief Commissioner took a review meeting about relief operations in Madhya Pradesh at Bhopal.

ii)       Field survey of nutritional status in selected Drought Affected Districts has been completed; tabulation and analysis work has commenced. 

iii)      To closely monitor arrangements for emergency water supply in Rajasthan and Gujarat during the period of peak supply stress, Department of Drinking Water Supply has stationed its “Area Officer” at the state headquarters. 

iv)      A meeting was held in the Cabinet Secretariat to review the position with regard to movement of foodgrains to Rajasthan on 29^th May, 2003.