Govt admits delayed rain a problem

Admitting that the delayed monsoon was posing a serious problem, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar hoped the situation would "improve soon". "The government is implementing a contingency plan to provide seeds and fertilisers to the states where seeds are sown before the monsoon sets in as this process would have to be gone through once again," Pawar said.

Finally, on Friday the government admitted that the delay in monsoon in several parts of northern India was a serious problem.

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“The real and serious problem is essentially in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and western Uttar Pradesh. The whole country is worried about monsoon recession, but in these parts the problem is more serious,” union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar told the Rajya Sabha.

Pawar said the government was hopeful that situation will improve soon, but had prepared plans to counter the situation.

“One is normally prepared prior to monsoon. Under this plan, we provide seeds and fertilisers to all the states, which has already been done. The second contingency plan is prepared when sowing operation is completed, if there is no rain, then the farmer has to sow again,” he said.

In the eventuality of lack of rain or no rain, the Centre has kept additional seeds with the states and there will be no shortage, Pawar said. The Agriculture Ministry has also asked the Power Ministry to increase electricity supply to states like Punjab and Haryana, he said.

The government also intends to increase the allocation under National Food Security Mission and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yoyana.