CACP chairman meets PM; discusses drought situation

Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices Chairman Mahendra Dev on Monday met the Prime Minister and apprised him about measures required to tackle the situation arising out of deficient and delayed monsoon.

Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) Chairman Mahendra Dev on Monday met the Prime Minister and apprised him about measures required to tackle the situation arising out of deficient and delayed monsoon.

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In the meeting, which follows Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's meet with state Chief Secretaries, discussions were held on the drought situation, right to food law and long-term policies to improve the farm sector.

The CACP Chairman also suggested that water management is crucial for improving the farm sector, not only during this juncture but on a long-term basis, sources said.

The discussion also took place on the proposed National Food Security Act, under which the government plans to
distribute 25 kg of rice or wheat per month at Rs 3 per kg to poor families.

CACP recommends minimum support price (MSP) for different farm commodities. The MSP is the benchmark price at which the government procures a particular farm commodity from farmers.

The Centre had convened a meeting with state chief secretaries, which was addressed by the Prime Minister, to discuss the deficient rainfall and price rise.

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has called a meeting with state agriculture ministers on August 21 to discuss
contingency plan as well as advance planning for the Rabi season.