The state chief minister Arjun Munda announced a relief package to the vextent of Rs 410 crore for the relief to 39 lakh farmers in the state owing to adverse impact of lowest rainfall this year in comparison with last few years affecting sevvere drought like condition throughout 24 districts of the state.

Of the sanctioned amount of Rs 410 crore, Rs 150 crore will be provided to the farmers to purchase diesel for irrigation purpose and Rs 240 crore will be utilizes by 39 lakh farmers as interest free loan through banks.

The spectre of drought looms large over major parts of northern and western India and Karnataka following a poor monsoon threatening kharif (summer sown) crop output and leaving farmers and livestock in distress.

Shortage of drinking water and an adverse impact on the prices of fruits, vegetables, pulses, sugar has been felt in several areas. Livestock has been hit due to fodder shortage.

In the wake of imminent drought in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat and Rajasthan, an Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) would hold discussions with the Chief Ministers of these States in the coming week on evolving immediate relief measures, Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said at a public function here on Sunday.

Mr. Pawar called for readiness on the part of all parties to face drought. He called it a ‘grave situation.’ “The availability of water and fodder have never been so low. It is necessary to ensure that drinking water to last till July 2013 is stored.”

A looming drought is manageable. Long-term changes to the monsoon might be catastrophic

The most extensive drought in five decades intensified this week across the US midwest and plains states that produce most of the county's corn, soybeans and livestock, a report from climate expert

IMPHAL: The cabinet sub-committee formed to monitor the scanty rainfall and make necessary recommendations was not happy with the insufficient rains this season. The ministers who made extensive tour of the paddy fields in the four districts of the valley recommended the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi to take steps for the declaring Manipur as the drought hit State. In all public statements and official communications they referred to the situation in the State as drought like condition.

JAMMU: In order to provide respite to the people from the acute power crisis, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today sanctioned Rs 200 crore for purchase of additional power and Rs 12 crore for speedy repair of damaged transformers and other system improvement works. With this decision, the availability of electricity will increase by 250 Mega Watts (MW) and consumers will heave sigh of relief from the power curtailments up to large extent from tomorrow itself when the Power Development Department will issue fresh electricity supply schedule.

Scorching heat and the worst drought in nearly a half-century are threatening to send food prices up, spooking consumers and leading to worries about global food costs.

PMK leader S. Ramadoss on Sunday wanted Tamil Nadu to be declared drought-hit, as it was going through a period of severe crisis following the failure of South West monsoon and failure of Karnataka to release Cauvery water for Kuruvai cultivation.

He also wanted the State to waive crop loans and land tax, besides taking steps to increase days from 100 to 300 covered by the rural employment guarantee scheme.