THE rainfall activity in the past few days over the northern India may have brought some smile on the face of the farming community, but the drought situation across the country has further deepened with 246 districts having been declared as drought affected. This means more than 40 per cent of total districts in the country are facing a drought-like situation.

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With three quarters of all districts receiving deficient rainfall so far and the overall rain deficit worsening since last week, the country seems headed into the worst drought year over the last two decades.

Gargi Parsai

NEW DELHI: With the India Meteorological Department declaring on Thursday a deficiency of 29 per cent in the southwest monsoon, the number of drought-affected districts has risen to 177. Last week, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said 141 districts were drought-hit.

PM to address chief ministers on the situation on Monday.

The government today constituted an Empowered Group of Ministers, headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, to tackle the drought situation in nearly one-fourth of the country.

The term of reference for the EGoM includes assessment and monitoring of the situation arising out of drought and deficient rainfall.

BHUBANESWAR: The State Government yesterday demanded interest subvention by the Centre on farm loans extended by commercial banks and regional rural banks (RRBs).

Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy made this demand at the meeting of chief secretaries presided by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi.

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New Delhi: When increase in prices and fall in monsoon rainfall became the central concern for the entire Opposition to target UPA government in Parliament on Thursday, the weatherman provided more ominous news.

Ranchi, Aug. 6: The state will seek a Rs 391-crore relief package from the Centre to battle drought.

Chief secretary A.K. Basu today left for New Delhi with a proposal for the Union agriculture ministry.