Monitor monsoon situation on weekly basis: PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has directed key ministries to coordinate with states to manage the crisis arising out of the weak monsoon this year. Rains continue to be 22% deficient.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has directed key ministries to coordinate with states to manage the crisis arising out of the weak monsoon this year. Rains continue to be 22% deficient.

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India’s monsoon deficit could crimp food output and hit farm income, which supports a third of the population, hiking inflation risk. “The Prime Minister has been apprised of the situation. He has directed all the departments and ministries to coordinate efforts with state governments to meet any eventuality, and monitor the situation on a weekly basis,” the government said in an official statement.

The Centre on Saturday held a meeting with representatives of six states — Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana — to review the situation.Agriculture secretary Ashish Bahuguna had told reporters that the situation in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan was worrisome because of a major shortfall in water availability and sowing.

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Meanwhile, rainfall in the country's food-bowl states, Punjab and Haryana, continues to be deficient. However, as they have assured irrigation networks, losses are expected to be minimal. Summer sowing has picked up in many other states, even though the southwest monsoon continues to be patchy. Two-thirds of Indians are dependent on farm income.