Bihar government has declared 33 of 38 districts as drought affected. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting in Patna today. Cabinet Secretary Vrajesh Mehrotra said that the state government has initiated several measures such as subsidies on diesel for farmers hit by the drought. He also said that the situation in the remaining 5 districts will be closely monitored.

He said, the district Administration of drought affected districts will be asked to start relief work at the earliest. The government also decided to provide power on a priority basis to farmers for irrigation and create jobs under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme to prevent exodus of labour.