Ahmedabad, 6 March 2013

As per the reply given by Union minister in Lok Sabha, Gujarat has not been given a single pie as financial assistance to counter the drought condition so far by the centre. As per the reply in Lok Sabha, the centre has recommended highest financial assistance to Gujarat compare to other states to counter drought situation, but this recommendation has not converted into approval. The centre has approved financial assistance to Maharashtra and Karnataka, but for Gujarat and Kerala, it seems it’s just recommendation and nothing more.

Members or parliament Jagadanand Singh, Raosaheb Patil Danve, Prabodh Panda, Hansraj Ahir, Eknath Gaikwad, EG Sugavanam, Anand Paranjpe, R Dhruvanarayana, Sanjay Bhoi, Khatgaonkar Patil Bhaskarrao Bapurao, Jadhav Baliram Sukur and M Thambidurai asked following questions to the minister of Agriculture in Lok Sabha on 26 February:

(a) whether several States are reeling under severe drought condition due to scanty rainfall resulting in major crop losses;

(b) if so, the details thereof, along with the damage caused to kharif crops due to drought State-wise;

(c) whether any Central team has visited the affected States;

(d) if so, the outcome thereof; and

(e) the details of the financial assistance demanded by these States and the assistance provided to them by the Union Government so far, State-wise?

Minister of state in the ministry of Agriculture and Food processing industries Shri Tariq Anwar in his reply clearly mentioned sum of aid provided to Rajasthan and Karnataka, while in Gujarat’s case he said central assistance was only recommended(by IMG and not approved by GoI):

(a) to (e) During Kharif-2012, Governments of Karnataka (142 talukas), Rajasthan (5 districts) Gujarat (132 talukas), Maharashtra (125 talukas) and Kerala (4 districts) have notified drought.

Government of Karnataka, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Kerala have sought central assistance of Rs. 7672.40 crore, Rs.7424.13 crore, Rs.3232.15 crore, Rs.7357.54 crore and Rs.1996.07 crore respectively for drought relief. Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) have visited these States and assessed loss/damage to kharif crops.

Government of India has so far approved Rs.778.09 crore to Maharashtra and Rs.526.06 crore to Karnataka from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) on account of Drought-2012 subject to the adjustment of 75% of balance available in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).

Besides, Government of India has also approved Rs.14.20 crore from Calamity Component of National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) for repair of damaged drinking water supply works for Karnataka.

Based on the recommendation of IMCT, the Inter Ministerial Group (IMG) has also recommended central assistance of Rs.62.61 crores to Kerala and Rs.864.71 crores to Gujarat from NDRF.

_____

Maharashtra, Karnataka given central aid in January

In second week of January this year, the high-level committee for central assistance to states affected by natural calamity approved assistance of Rs 526.06 crore to Karnataka and Rs 778.09 crore to Maharashtra. The committee met under the Chairmanship of Agriculture and Food Processing Industries Minister Sharad Pawar. Other members of the Committee are Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde,Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia. According to the statement issued at that time, the assistance includes Rs.563 crore for agriculture, Rs.91 crore for horticulture assistance, Rs.73 crore for animal husbandry and over Rs.50 crore for water supply.

____________

From our archive

Go through this post/videos about Union Ministers Jairam Ramesh and Sharad Pawar’s promises announced in Gandhinagar that just didn’t convert into reality. Both ministers visited Gandhinagar in August last year to review the drought situation. Also go through this post/video to learn about what Gujarat government sought from centre to counter drought situation.

____________

Not a single pie received, says Minister

We contacted Gujarat Finance Minister Shri Nitin Patel and asked him whether Gujarat has been given central assistance for drought relief. He replied, “not a single pie so far.”