Situation alarming: More than one-third population hit by drought The country is facing severe drought for the second consecutive year. Conservative estimates from official sources show that over a quarter of rural habitations are facing drinking water scarcity. Although both India Meteorological Department and Skymet have predicted a more than normal rainfall during June-September, 2016, the water storage available in 91 major reservoirs of the country has declined from 22 percent...
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Grain stock ample to tackle drought, says Centre -Sanjeeb Mukherjee
-Business Standard At end-April, foodgrain stock in the pool was estimated at 36.95 mn tonnes, 6.7% more than at the same time last year As a drought and drinking water crisis grips several states, the food stock position in the central pool seems to be among the few comfort factors for the government. At end-April, foodgrain stock in the pool was estimated at 36.95 million tonnes, 6.7 per cent more than at the...
More »Centre asks states to scale up DBT scheme for food subsidy -Sandip Das
-The Financial Express In a bid to curb pilferage of foodgrains in the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), the Centre on Saturday asked the states to opt for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) under which the subsidy component is credited to bank accounts and allows the beneficiaries to buy foodgrains from the market. However, for implementing DBT, the states must complete digitisation of beneficiary list and seed bank account details for fund transfer....
More »Supreme Court: Rush aid to drought zones -J Venkatesan
-The Asian Age The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Centre and state governments not to hide behind the “smokescreen of lack of funds” and ordered wide-ranging relief for drought-affected people in 12 states. These include mid-day meals during the summer vacation, addition of egg or milk to the mid-day meal menu, to universalise foodgrain rations and ensure adequate and timely release of funds for NREGA. It also ordered implementation of...
More »Free grains likely for 25 million poorest of poor families -Dipak K Dash
-The Times of India NEW DELHI: The Centre is likely to provide 'free of cost' foodgrain to the poorest of the poor families under the Antyodaya Anna Yojna (AAY) which would benefit nearly 25 million families across the country. This is being seen as yet another step by the government to push its 'pro-poor' image just days before it completes two years in office. Sources said the food ministry will present this...
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