Patna,(BiharTimes): Even as a large part of Bihar is to come out of the threat of flood the state cabinet on Wednesday declared 33 out of 38 districts as drought-hit while situation in the rest five––Arwal, Banka, Rohtas, Araria and Kishanganj––is being regularly monitored.
A central team would visit the state to take the stock of the situation.
According to Principal Secretary (Cabinet Coordination and Secretariat) Brajesh Mehrotra and the Principal Secretary (Disaster Management Department) Vyasji Mishra the decision was taken because of deficient rainfall in these districts. They saw 20 per cent below normal rain during the monsoon season.
The state has overall received deficient rainfall by 25 per cent. Till now it rained 668.6 mm as against annual average of 892.2 mm, Vyasji said.
The monsoon lasted only 15 days in Bihar as against the normal 45-46 days.
As the underground water table has fallen it led to a drought and scarcity of drinking water as well.
The prevailing drought would have adverse bearing on agriculture production, animal husbandry and employment generation for the people. The plantation of paddy has been hit hard.
The government would provide assistance to farmers under the State Disaster Response Corpus and the Central Disaster Response Corpus with immediate effect.
It has been decided that the collection of land rent and cess, irrigation charge, electricity bills and cooperative loans from the farmers in 2013-14 would be deferred.
Besides, measures would also be taken to save standing crops, start farming of alternative crops, creating employment for rural people and to take care of the cattle.
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