The Bundelkhand Package of Rs 7266 crore sanctioned by the Government of India for the development of Bundelkhand region falling under Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh includes Madhya Pradesh's share of Rs 3760 crore. Of this share, Rs 2160 crore are earmarked for the schemes under implementation from earlier.

Despite the agriculture sector reeling under the impact of drought and rising food prices, the government may not provide much additional funds for the farm sector in the Budget for next fiscal as it seems to be wary of a rising fiscal deficit coupled with tepid tax collections.

Recent drought resulting in poor kharif crop production may lead to the farm sector

AK Vishwakarma, water specialist from WALMI, presented different aspects of drought in front of trainees as a type of disaster, while addressing technical session of second-day seminar on Disaster Management organised by volunteer organisation, Science Centre, Gwalior.

The state government has sanctioned Rs 63 crore to Panchayat and Rural Development Department to undertake employment-oriented works in 38 districts, which have been affected by drought in the wake of scanty rainfall during 2009-10. Out of these funds, Rs 40 crore has been allocated by the office of Relief Commissioner to Panchayat and Rural Development Department as first instalment.

Drought Will Skew Poverty Figures

BHAWANIPATNA: A four-member Central team today toured Kalahandi to assess the quantum of crop loss. The team, led by YS Sharma, conducted a field survey and visited Bhatipada, Kodobhata, Kuliapali, Mahaling, Makraguda and Bordi villages under Kuhura and Mahaling gram panchayats of Golamunda block and interacted with farmers.

BHUBANESWAR: The 12-member Central team saw for itself the enormity of the drought and crop loss in the State. There has been impact and the loss is significant, the team admitted today after having toured six of the 15 drought-hit districts.

Since the 2007 assembly elections, when Congress won the Jhansi assembly seat, Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi has been taking a special interest in Bundelkhand.

BHUBANESWAR: With half of the districts reeling from drought effect, an inter-ministerial Central team will arrive in Orissa tomorrow for spot assessment of the situation.

Led by Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Atanu Purukayasth, the 10-member team would mostly be visiting western and northern districts of the State over the next three days.

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