The government today assured the Lok Sabha that it will provide subsidy on diesel to farmers in drought affected areas. Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh gave the assurance while replying to the 4-day-long discussion on the flood and drought situation in the country. The Minister said the subsidy will be given in areas where less than 50 per cent rain was recorded till July. He said the government has decided to increase subsidy on seeds by 50 per cent in
the affected areas andallocated 700 crore rupees for horticulture if it is affected by drought or flood. The Agriculture Minister informed the members that 100 Crore rupees will be provided by way of assistance to increase fodder production in the affected states. Mr
Singh said that the Government is aware of the flood situation in the Kosi river in Bihar. He said 163 camps have been set up in 9 districts of the state and 19 teams of National Disaster Relief Force, NDRF, have been deputed in these areas. One lakh 43 thousand persons have
been kept in relief camps in 3 districts of Bihar he said.